In 1981, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) created a Day of Unity in order to connect female survivors of domestic abuse across the country. This Day of Unity evolved to become a month long commitment to combating domestic violence, as it affects millions—both men and women—with an average of 20 people experiencing physical intimate partner violence every minute.

Domestic violence is not something that is out of sight, out of mind, especially for college-aged individuals. A statistic published by the National Domestic Violence Hotline reported that one in four women (24.3%) and one in seven men (13.8%) aged 18 and older had experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in the United States, and according to the NCADV, college-aged women—women between the ages of 18 and 24—most frequently experience abuse from an intimate partner. Because of the prevalence of domestic violence among people our age, college students, it is important to be involved and aware of this issue. It could affect someone you know, or it could be affecting you, and it is vital that you know the signs so that you can not only help those around you, but also keep yourself safe.

Domestic violence does not always take the form of physical violence; it takes many forms, and the signs are not always obvious. Financial restrictions and emotional abuse, with the abuser going so far as to isolate their victim, verbally assault them or manipulate them, are other modes of domestic abuse. According to the NCADV, domestic violence is defined as “willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another.”

In Missouri specifically, there were 40,625 reported cases of domestic violence in 2012 alone. There are 11 domestic violence shelters in the St. Louis area. Eight of the 11 offer hotlines, and seven of them offer emergency sheltering.

At Wash. U. as well as in the city, there are multiple resources for those who have experienced domestic violence. On campus, the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center offers 24/7 counseling services, as does S.A.R.A.H, the Sexual Assault and Rape Anonymous Hotline. While these are confidential resources, there are non-confidential resources if you or someone you know does not feel comfortable seeking these out. WUPD, the Residential Life Office and the Title IX office are all non-confidential resources available to anyone looking to talk to someone without filing an official report.

Leaders In Interpersonal Violence Education (LIVE) is offering programming this month surrounding domestic violence awareness to bring the conversation to the forefront. It is important for individuals to attend these events, as domestic violence can affect anyone.

Regardless of the month, domestic violence is something we should always be talking about. The pervasiveness and prevalence of this issue give reasons to not simply relegate discussion to one month. We should continue the conversation year round.