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October: Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Let’s Get Everyone to Talk Openly about Domestic Violence 

The Allstate Foundation is asking everyone to Tell a Gal Pal about domestic violence so that we can face the issue together during October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month – and beyond.

I was shocked when I read the statistic that Domestic violence touches millions – more than seven out of 10 Americans know someone who is or has been a victim – but somehow, it still remains a taboo subject. That’s a lot of people keeping a secret or turning their heads.

There’s more to the truth that we are avoiding:

  • Each day in the U.S., 3 women die as a result of domestic violence. (1)
  • More than 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. (2)
  • Nearly 3 out of 4 Americans know someone who is or has been a victim. 
  • Only 54 percent of Americans have talked to a friend about domestic violence, and only 56 percent would know what to do to help a victim of domestic violence. (3)
 
It’s frightening.
Domestic Violence isn’t just for the low income; it is real in every social and economic group. It needs to stop.
 
Sometimes the victim is someone you’d never suspect. She’s strong. She’s brave. She’s intelligent. She holds her fear inside. She protects her children. She is witty. She is your friend, your boss, your sister, your mother, your neighbor, you.

Let’s face domestic violence together – Tell a Gal Pal to: 
  • Talk openly about domestic violence. Tell your Gal Pals – whether it’s your best friend, sister, mother, daughter, niece, cousin, or neighbor – to face domestic violence, share their opinions and experiences and show support for survivors.
  • Speak out against domestic violence when you see it. Call the police or National Domestic Violence Hotline to report domestic violence in your community – you could help save a life.
  • Visit ClickToEmpower.org for easy ways to start the conversation, check out resources for survivors, or read inspirational survivor stories.
  • You can also show your support for domestic violence survivors by volunteering at or donating items to your local domestic violence shelter. Contact your state domestic violence coalition for more information. Click here for a complete list of state coalitions.

Pledge to Tell a Gal Pal and Help Raise Money to Support Domestic Violence Survivors
Get involved by joining the Tell a Gal Pal movement on Facebook and encouraging your readers and followers to do the same to help raise money to support domestic violence survivors. Tell a Gal Pal and then share this information with social media groups! 
  • The Allstate Foundation will donate another $1 if you take the pledge to Tell a Gal Pal about domestic violence. As part of the pledge, your photo will be added to the “Faces of Support” gallery to show survivors that they aren’t facing domestic violence alone.
  • Help us reach our goal of raising $20,000. Tell Gal Pal to join the movement on Facebook.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in The Allstate Foundation’s Tell a Gal Pal blogging program with TwitterMoms, making me eligible to get an interview with Cheryl Burke. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

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