October 2022Vol. 23, No. 8October Is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Since 1989, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has observed October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During this special initiative, NCTSN acknowledges that domestic violence affects people from all walks of life, regardless of age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality and can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations, last a lifetime, and take its toll on families, leading them to become involved with the child welfare system.

NCTSN created a webpage that contains helpful resources on domestic violence for parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, child welfare workers, law enforcement professionals, educators and school staff, and policymakers. The webpage features factsheets (e.g., Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event, Children and Domestic Violence: How Does Domestic Violence Affect Children), videos (e.g., "Cops, Kids, and Domestic Violence"), webinars (e.g., "Addressing Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence in Families Affected by Substance Use"), and more.

To learn more about National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to access NCTSN's resources on the subject, visit NCTSN's National Domestic Violence Awareness Month webpage.