In October of 1981 the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) declared the month of October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month; the intent was to connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end domestic violence against women and their children.  

Common themes and activities throughout the nation during Domestic Violence Awareness Month included mourning those who have lost their lives due to domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived and connecting those who work against to end violence.

In all cultures, rural and urban, women and men of all religious, ethnic, socioeconomic, physical abilities and lifestyles can be affected by domestic violence.  

Most commonly, batterers are thought to be males although males are also victims of domestic violence as perpetrated by their partners, just seldom reported.

Battering is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person with whom an intimate relationship is or has been shared, through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence.  

Battering happens when one person believes that they are entitled to control another. Such abuse affects not only direct victims, but their children and families as well.

Rural battered women face additional difficulties when seeking services. These difficulties include lack of resources, isolation, few support agencies, poor or little transportation and communication systems, in addition to other complications intensified by rural lifestyle.

The Lake County Board of Supervisors has designated the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In 2012 Lake County Law enforcement agencies have responded to more than 695 incidents of domestic violence.

The Lake Family Resource Center has responded to 437 crisis line calls, served such victims and additionally provided shelter to 118 domestic violence victims and their children.

Family violence is a societal problem. Ending the cycle requires not only the strength and courage of survivors, but also the assistance and involvement of all members of the community.

The Lake Family Resource Center – in collaboration with other agencies, including the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, and Clearlake and Lakeport police departments – is devoted  and dedicated to ending domestic violence in Lake County.  

Lake Family Resource Center provides crisis intervention and prevention services to all members of our community.

The Lake Family Resource Center encourages the community to attend and participate in various activities that will be held throughout Lake County in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  

Such activities will include a candlelight vigil in Lakeport’s Library Park at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24.

Working together, women and men have the ability to change attitudes and perceptions about domestic violence.  

Our community is urged to support the efforts in assisting victims of domestic violence in order to strengthen our communities and families.

Amber Westphal is a domestic violence advocate at the Lake Family Resource Center’s Freedom House domestic violence shelter in Kelseyville, Calif.