October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a national effort to raise awareness through education, outreach, and community engagement. This year’s theme, “With Survivors, Always,” highlights Workplace Violence Prevention’s commitment to stand beside survivors in their pursuit of safety and support. 

At UC Davis and UC Davis Health, help for survivors and their families is available year-round. Domestic violence is an umbrella term and includes intimate partner violence, dating abuse, and relationship abuse, and is defined as patterns of behavior used to control another person. Each year, more than 12 million adults in the U.S. experience intimate partner violence, about 24 people every minute. Nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men experience physical or sexual violence or stalking by a partner. 

Domestic violence affects the workplace, too. As Alexandra Donovan from the Cambridge Public Health Department explains, “Domestic violence has no boundaries and doesn’t stay home.” Warning signs may include unexplained injuries or bruising, frequent absences, withdrawal from colleagues, or visible anxiety. In remote settings, background disruptions or aggressive comments heard in the background may also indicate concern for domestic violence.  

Domestic violence impacts people in every profession and background. The workplace may be one of the few safe spaces for a survivor to seek help. While employees aren’t expected to be experts, knowing what resources to provide is crucial. UC Davis resources include Workplace Violence Prevention (WPVP), HDAPP, ASAP, CARE, DMS, and ELR. Community and national support include the National Domestic Violence Hotline, WEAVE, My Sister’s House, Stand Up Placer, and Empower Yolo. 

Supporting survivors requires empathy, awareness, and clear boundaries. While taking action to help may feel uncomfortable, doing nothing poses an even greater risk. Offering support, providing information about available resources, and ensuring a safe work environment can make a significant difference. It is important to recognize what you can do; you can encourage someone to seek help, but you cannot force them to leave a relationship or accept assistance. If someone appears to be in immediate danger, encourage them to contact law enforcement. You may also contact law enforcement after alerting the affected employee you intend to do so, as it is important to be mindful that police involvement can sometimes escalate a situation. 

Survivors are also entitled to job-protected leave to seek care, counseling, and ensure their safety. 

Domestic Violence Awareness Month serves as a critical time to promote awareness, reduce stigma, and support survivors. Through continued education, advocacy, and compassion, we move closer to preventing future harm.  

References 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Preventing Intimate Partner Violence 

• National Domestic Violence Hotline – Statistics 

• Harvard Business Review – When Domestic Violence Comes to Work 

• Cambridge Public Health Department – Domestic Violence in the Workplace