Are you passionate about ending domestic violence? There are many ways you can get involved.
Help Someone Get Out
Is someone you care about in an abusive relationship? You can help them stay safe.
Tell Your Story
If you are a survivor, you can tell your story. Every time someone breaks their silence and shares their story, it raises awareness and educates others. This helps to motivate them to do something.
Your experiences, especially once you have moved from victim to survivor, make you an expert. Your expertise can help others who are in or recently out of abusive situations. For instance, you can volunteer at a women’s shelter or join support groups. Or consider volunteering with the police department to assist in domestic violence emergencies.
Make a Donation
Find a credible foundation or local women’s shelter and ask them how you can help. Aside from donating money, which is a tax write-off, you can also donate time. One example is to volunteer at a shelter. Or possibly you have a car and can assist victims with transportation, such as to a doctor, support group, or court hearings? If those ideas involve too much commitment for you, maybe they have an event you can help with?
In addition, you can donate items to shelters or a thrift store that supports a shelter. Common items they can use include clothes, toys, and non-perishable foods. Another great thing to donate is old cell phones, as an old cell phone with no service can be used to make 911 calls. Again, find a local shelter and ask what they can use.
Moreover, you can consider donating your expertise. Some examples include legal help, education assistance, counseling, fundraising, event planning, and advertising.
Other Ways to Get Involved
- If you plan events, hire a speaker who can educate your group about domestic violence. (Invite me to speak!)
- If you’re a school administrator, principal, or teacher, bring someone in to educate students about dating violence and unhealthy relationships.
- Become politically educated so you can vote for lawmakers who fight against domestic violence. You can also call or write lawmakers and let them know this subject is important to their constituents.
