October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, also known as Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month. Roughly one in three women and one in four men will experience some form of dating violence, intimate partner violence, or domestic violence in their lifetime. Chances are that someone you know is a survivor or is quietly suffering right now.

Many people assume intimate partner violence refers only to physical assault, but it can also include other forms.  This article from Daysoftheyear.com gives a helpful overview of the different forms abuse can take. These include physical violence, imposed rules that control or isolate someone socially or physically, emotional abuse such as degrading names or threats, and financial abuse such as restricting or controlling access to money. The warning signs usually build gradually, which makes them easier to miss or dismiss day by day. They can even feel like devotion, as though your partner is simply very invested in you and your activities because they love you so much.  This can make it hard for people to recognize what is happening in their own relationship or to a friend or loved one, and it can make reaching out for help even harder.

Knowing what to do can be difficult, whether you are experiencing abuse yourself or are worried about someone else. We at the EAP has put together a list of resources for you or anyone you suspect could benefit from support related to intimate partner violence, domestic violence, or abuse.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Services rendered in English, Spanish, and with 200+ more languages aviable via in-call translator service.
• The Massachusetts State Domestic Violence Hotline, also known as SAFELINK, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-877-785-2020. Individuals in distress can speak with a domestic violence advocate for support and resources. This resource is operated locally through Casa Myrna, one of the largest Boston area organizations serving survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence.
• The State of Massachusetts main website offers a searchable database of services by county, as well as this list of transitional residential domestic violence programs for those who may not have a safe home or space to stay in or relocate to.
• The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has this page of resources and important phone numbers.
• National Resource Center for Domestic Violence offers more resources for support and education.
• The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center is a strong community resource for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative: A Boston Public Health Commission run community initiative offering trainings, education and resources for seeking support around prevention and safety.
• Fenway Health's Violence Recovery Program, which features a consult hotline, is available to survivors, focusing as a support for LGBTQ+ intimate partner violence survivors.
• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Center for Violence Recovery:  This trauma-informed center assists in healing from all forms of violence including domestic violence, with a stated focus on services to the BIPOC community
• JF&CS Journey to Safety: A program of Jewish Family & Children's Service offering confidential advocacy and support tailored to domestic abuse survivors across Massachusetts.
• DOVE: Domestic Violence Ended is a local state organization that serves survivors and providers alike. This page includes a hotline with free and confidential advocate support at 617-471-1234.
• Jane Doe Massachusetts Coalition against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence is another local resource that offers helpful information and links for survivors.
• Dee Kennedy Family Justice Center: A Boston Public Health Commission service offering free legal help, counseling, and safety planning.
• The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) has a searchable directory of resources by state for those who are actively in crisis or survivors looking for support networks.
• Family and Community Resources INC (https://www.fcr-ma.org/) offers resources and information for survivors each year, be sure to check out its upcoming 5K Walk for Survivor Safety and Community Cultural Fair October 14^th.
• The Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center (https://jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org/events/annual-walk-against-domestic-violence/) is also continuing its annual walk against domestic violence, October 1^st in Newburyport from 8-11 am.
• The Central Massachusetts YMCA (https://ywcacm.org/dvam/) also offers a yearly calendar of events commemorating domestic violence awareness month and supporting community survivors.

EVENTS

• Reach Beyond Domestic Violence Fall 2026 Festival (https://reachma.org/get-involved/special-events/): October 17, 10 AM – 1PM Waltham
• Independence House 26th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Community Breakfast (https://independencehouse.org/event/2026-dvam-breakfast/): October 16th 8AM-10AM, in Hyannis
• Eventbrite DV Awareness Month list: (https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ma--boston/domestic-violence-mothers/) Shows free and paid events in the Boston and Cambridge area.

We also wanted to take a moment to highlight some resources and area events for Breast Cancer Awareness month, listed below:

• The national Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers a helpful educational guide (https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/index.htm) on cancer symptoms and diagnoses.  This page (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment.html) from the American Cancer Association also highlights different types of treatments and the steps for each type of treatment.
• The Boston Public Health Commission's Pink and Black Campaign (https://www.boston.gov/government/cabinets/boston-public-health-commission/physical-health-and-wellness/chronic-disease-prevention/cancer-early-detection-and-survivorship/pink-and-black-education-support-network) is an ongoing education and advocacy movement aimed at supporting ethnic minorities and female survivors of breast cancer. Explore the page to learn more and get connected to resources.
• The Cancer Support Community of Massachusetts (https://www.cancersupportmass.org/) offers a help line, as well as support and wellness groups for survivors, caregivers and families, as well as bereavement groups for those that have lost a loved one to cancer.
• The Ellie Fund (https://www.elliefund.org/) is a charity that offers information and community support for those struggling with a breast cancer diagnosis.  
• Making Strides Against Breast Cancer : (https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=strides_massachusetts_walks) A charity walk occurring Saturday October 3, also lists two other events in new Hampshire and Rhode Island.
• Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber (https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?fr_id=2560&pg=entry): Sunday, October 4. Walkers walk anywhere from 5k to a full marathon to support cancer research at the Dana Farber cancer institute.
• Susan G. Komen Massachusetts MORE THAN PINK Walk (https://secure.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/MoreThanPinkWalk?fr_id=10917&pg=entry): A charity walk occurring saturday, October 17 at the UMass Boston Campus Center Lawn.

As always, feel free to reach out to us at the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (https://www.boston.gov/departments/human-resources/employee-assistance-program) for further support, or if you feel we can offer more resources. Have a safe and healthy October.

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