October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster (DVS) plans to host a full roster of events for the Lancaster County community.
Domestic Violence Services, a program of Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County, has based them on the theme "Survivor to 'Thriver': A Celebration of Resilience."
The events are as follows:
- Friday, Oct. 1
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month launch media event, 8:30-9:30 a.m., The Ware Center's Owen Salon
- Lancaster County Silent Witness Project, 6-8 p.m., The Ware Center
- DVAM Sidewalk Graffiti, First Friday evening, Penn Square
- Saturday, Oct. 9: DVAM/DVS Table at the Bright Side Opportunities Center Fallfest 2021, Noon-5 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 13: Healthcare Cares about Domestic Violence Day
- Sunday, Oct. 17: Bakers Uprising Bake Sale, Noon-2 p.m. (or while supplies last), Musser Park
- Friday, Oct. 22: Wear Purple Day
- Sunday, Oct. 24: DVAM/DVS at Lancaster PRIDE, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Clipper Magazine Stadium
- Monday, Oct. 25: Book Discussion: The Invisible Bruise, 6 p.m., Ephrata Public Library
- Tuesday, Oct. 26: Purple Carnival, 6-8 p.m., Millersville University
- Wednesday, Oct. 26: DVS Speaking Witness, a Survivor Speak-Out (virtual event),
- Thursday, Oct. 28: Book Discussion: The Invisible Bruise, 6:30 p.m., Eastern Lancaster
County Library, 11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland
Additionally, Domestic Violence Services has organized a Silent Witness Project, honoring domestic violence victims. Its schedule is as follows:
- Oct. 1-3: The Ware Center, 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
- Oct. 4-9: Lancaster County Government Building, 150 N. Queen St., Lancaster
- Oct. 10-16: Ephrata Public Library, 550 S. Reading Road, Ephrata
- Oct. 18-22: Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown
- Oct. 22-27: Millersville University, Millersville
- Oct. 27-31: Thaddeus Stevens School of Technology, Lancaster
(Note: A repeated date indicates the project will be on display at the first listed venue in the morning, and at the second venue in the afternoon.)
Domestic Violence Awareness Month yard signs are available for a suggested donation of $25. There are two designs from which to choose: “Home is Not Safe for Everyone” or “Together We Can End Domestic Violence.” Signs are in English on one side and Spanish on the other and are available for order at caplanc.org/dvam.
“Domestic violence or intimate partner violence continues to be a major public health epidemic in our communities,” DVS director Christine Gilfillan, said. “The danger level and isolation experienced by victims and survivors, and their barriers to seeking support and services, has been magnified by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic across all sectors of our community and economy."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four women and one in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Last year, DVS served 1,788 local victims of domestic violence, including 132 children, the organization said in a statement.
DVS offers a 24/7 hotline and text line, emergency shelter, counseling, children’s programming, legal advocacy and representation, and transitional housing. All services are free of charge and strictly confidential. For more information, visit caplanc.org/DVS