#1thing – Post 1

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).

I was a victim of domestic violence in my marriage.

I’ve known October was coming since the first day I blogged and I knew that I would be writing about domestic violence. Each October of the past few years, I’ve shared a little bit about what I went through in the hopes of spreading awareness. But now, I have a blog and a place to share and it’s time to get it all out there. It’s time to do my #1thing to stop domestic violence.

#1thing is a national movement to bring an end to domestic violence. It’s about using our collective voice – the power of people – doing just #1thing and how if we all do just #1thing, we have the ability to bring about social change.

“The #1Thing message unites our individual voices while highlighting the power of our collective action.”

It’s a unified message for inspiring action during DVAM and beyond.

#1thing will look different for everyone. The #1thing you can do will be different from my #1thing. But when we all do just #1thing, we can move mountains and things will begin to change.

Love shouldn’t hurt.

My #1thing will be to share my story throughout the month of October and to help educate everyone who reads this blog that:

• Domestic violence is way more than just physical abuse.
• It can happen to anyone, by anyone
• What the different types of abuse look like with personal examples (There are eight types of domestic violence that have nothing to do with physical harm.)
• How domestic violence builds over time
• The lasting effects of domestic violence
• and to answer the question everyone always wants to know – Why didn’t you just leave?

At the end of every single blog, I will list some resources – phone numbers and live chats for those who currently need help.

What could your #1thing be?

1. Read my blogs. Learn. Share them when you feel it’s appropriate. Use hashtag #1thing.
2. Share #1thing from your personal story, using the hashtag, and share resources to get help. You never know who needs to see it. Your story may be the #1thing that is a catalyst to help, inspire, or motivate others to action.
3. Learn what domestic violence is, learn the signs, and be available to help when a friend needs it.
4. Don’t judge women who are in or have been victims of domestic violence. It truly can happen to anyone. Love them instead.
5. If someone tells you they are experiencing domestic violence, believe them. Please.
6. Do #1thing that shows domestic violence has no place in your world and post it on social media with the hashtag. Make a stand.
7. Teach your kids what real love looks like and what it doesn’t look like.
8. Understand that social change starts with #1thing and you can be a part of that.
9. Support programs that provide services to end domestic violence.
10. Model respect, equality, and peace in your own relationship.

If you currently need help, it is available.

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
TTY 1-800-787-3224

Love is Respect – the National Dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474
TTY 1-866-331-8453
Text “loveis” to 22522

Live chat at www.loveisrespect.org