October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Recognizing the Signs and Finding Support

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to an issue that affects millions of individuals and families across the country. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in an intimate, dating, or partner relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain control over another.

Domestic violence can take many forms — physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or even technological. These actions, threats, or patterns of coercive behavior can deeply affect the victim’s safety, well-being, and confidence. Anyone can experience domestic violence regardless of race, gender, religion, or background.

The Reality of Domestic Violence in the U.S.

Nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men in the United States will experience physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.
More than 16 million people suffer from intimate partner abuse each year.
Every minute, 32 people experience intimate partner violence in the U.S.

(Statistics provided by Break the Cycle)

The Hidden Side of Abuse: Emotional and Psychological Control

While physical violence is often the most visible, emotional abuse can be just as harmful — and far more difficult to recognize.
Emotional abusers often manipulate, isolate, and control their partners, creating a cycle of fear and dependence that is hard to break. Victims may feel that if they change their behavior, the abuse will stop — but it rarely does.

Here are some common warning signs of emotional or psychological abuse:

Isolation: Your partner keeps you away from family and friends.
Verbal Abuse: Frequent insults, threats, or degrading comments.
Emotional Manipulation: Making you feel guilty for their behavior.
Blame-Shifting: Refusing to take responsibility and always finding someone else to blame.
Fear and Intimidation: Using threats or anger to control your actions.
Withholding Affection: Punishing you with silence or emotional distance.
Extreme Jealousy or Possessiveness: Controlling where you go and who you see.

Recognizing these signs early can save lives and prevent further harm. If you recognize any of these behaviors in your relationship or in someone you care about, help is available.

What You Can Do

If you believe someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence:

Listen without judgment. Survivors often need someone to hear them and believe them.
Believe their story. Abuse isn’t always physical — manipulation and control are forms of violence, too.
Support and guide them to resources. Connecting survivors with professional help can make all the difference.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, reach out for help:

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) | www.thehotline.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | www.rainn.org

How the El Paso Center for Children Can Help

At the El Paso Center for Children, we provide a range of free, compassionate services designed to help individuals and families heal and rebuild after trauma:

Counseling & Life Skills: Our licensed counselors offer trauma-informed therapy to help individuals process experiences, strengthen relationships, and learn healthy coping skills.
Victims of Crime Support: We offer emotional support, safety planning, and guidance through recovery for survivors of violence and abuse.

You are not alone. Support, safety, and healing are possible — and help is just a phone call away.

Credit: Information adapted from Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and The National Domestic Violence Hotline.