A single ‘Day of Unity' observed by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 1981 quickly evolved into a full month of support and activities, conducted at the local, state and national levels, to raise awareness of domestic violence. On October 6, 1989 Congress passed Public Law 101-112, opens a new window, designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This month's resources focus on connecting those who live with the risk of violence and those who work to end it.
Domestic Violence Month Awareness Events
Virtual trainings by Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
All Things DV Intervention Treatment for Advocates – Thursday, October 23, 2025 2:00-4:00 p.m. Come learn from Amie Roberts, DSHS DVIT Program Supervisor, as she explains best practices in Domestic Violence Intervention Treatment (DVIT).
Library Events
Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence – Online: Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 6:00–7:00 p.m. Learn to recognize the signs of abuse, safely support survivors, and connect with free confidential services from Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County. Presented by Gabby Contreras, Prevention, Education & Outreach Coordinator. Registration required; recording available later on the Sno-Isle Libraries YouTube, opens a new window channel.
Back-to-School Pizza Party: Healthy Relationships – Sultan Library: Friday, October 17, 2025, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Teens & tweens are invited for a fun pizza party where they’ll learn to recognize healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships. Activities include identifying real-life relationship traits, setting boundaries, and communicating with peers.
Get Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or abuse, these local agencies provide 24/7 assistance:
Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County
24-Hour Hotline:
425-25-ABUSE (425-252-2873)
Access support groups, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and domestic violence education.
Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, opens a new window
Providence Everett Sexual Assault Center
1509 California St, Everett, WA 98201 (Inside the Dawson Place Advocacy Center)
24-hour crisis line:
425-252-4800
Our team of advocates, forensic nurses, nurse practitioners, therapists, and social workers offer an array of services to those impacted by sexual, physical, and/or relationship violence.
Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse
Citizens Against Domestic Violence (CADA) - Island County
24-Hour Crisis Line:
360-675-2232
800-215-5669
We provide 24/7 advocacy and support services to all residents (regardless of age, gender, sexuality) of Island County, WA 365 days a year.
Citizens Against Domestic & Sexual Abuse
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233 (also en Español)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
Text "START" to 88788
National Domestic Violence Hotline, opens a new window (chat live)
Suggested Titles to Learn More
The Big Bad Wolf in My House - This powerful picture book is told through the eyes of a young girl as her mother's new suitor moves into her house. Creators Valérie Fontaine and Nathalie Dion made this a powerful, moving story about violence in the home that ends on a note of hope and found community.
Saints of the Household by Ari Tison - In this fictional tale, brothers Max and Jay help a classmate in trouble, but struggle with the consequences of their violent actions and worry they may be more like their abusive father than they thought. The brothers turn to their Bribri (Indigenous Costa Rican) roots to find their way forward.
Surviving: Why We Stay and How We Leave Abusive Relationships by Beverly Gooden - When survivors of domestic violence reveal their predicaments, the first question many ask is "Why did you stay?" Here, an abuse survivor answers that question through her own story of survival and offers help to those who want to leave and rebuild their lives.
Abused Men by Philip W. Cook - An award-winning investigative journalist provides a disturbing look at an underreported type of domestic violence—the abuse of men.
All the Flowers Kneeling by Paul Tran - This book of poetry is a profound meditation on physical, emotional, and psychological transformation in the aftermath of imperial violence and interpersonal abuse, from a poet both "tender and unflinching."
Learn More
These library resources raise awareness of the issue of domestic violence in our society, and share the powerful stories of survivors.
- Domestic Violence Awareness, opens a new window
- Understanding Domestic Violence, opens a new window
- Streaming videos about domestic violence, opens a new window
- GALE eBook Library on domestic violence, opens a new window
- Peer reviewed articles on domestic violence against men. Requires library card.
