“Awareness is the greatest tool we have to address the issue of domestic violence, which is a largely underreported crime,” New York’s Mayor Bill DeBlasio said this week.
To help commemorate October as the month of the domestic violence awareness, the Empire State building was lit up in purple for two nights. Yet even as the majestic purple building looked over the city, there are still many victims of domestic abuse that feel there is no one looking out for them, too many of them feel alone.
One in four women will be beaten or abused by someone in her lifetime.
Every day, three women die because of domestic violence.
About 75% of victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence have been killed in the process of leaving or after leaving.
Despite these statistics, the subject of domestic violence is still a grossly misunderstood one. It’s taboo for many circles, deemed too depressing by most. Yet it’s a topic that we can’t and shouldn’t avoid any longer.
To help increase domestic violence awareness this October, the Guardian has partnered with Women’s Information Service, WISE, to answer your questions on the topic.
WISE started as a career resource centre for women – to help educate and train new moms on their jobs, according to its website. Soon it developed into a safe space to talk about various abuses they have suffered. Today, WISE’s mission is to empower victims of violence to become safe and self-reliant.