Domestic violence is often thought of as something that happens to other people, in other places or under circumstances far removed from our own lives.
But the reality is much closer to home.
It affects individuals and families of every age, background and circumstance, including people we know, work alongside, care about and interact with every day.
This is the message behind #Every1KnowsSome1, a national awareness campaign reminding us that domestic violence touches every community, including our own.
One of the challenges in understanding domestic violence is recognizing that it does not always look the way we expect it to.
Abuse is not limited to physical violence, and the signs are not always obvious to those on the outside. It can involve emotional manipulation, intimidation, financial control, isolation and other behaviors intended to establish power and control over another person. Someone experiencing abuse may appear happy, successful or surrounded by supportive people. We cannot always know what someone is experiencing simply by looking at their life from the outside.
In smaller communities, where familiar faces and connections are part of everyday life, it can be especially difficult to imagine that someone we know might be experiencing domestic violence. We may have assumptions about what an abusive relationship looks like or believe we would recognize the signs if someone close to us needed help. Yet many survivors carry experiences that remain unseen by even those who know them best. Recognizing this encourages us to approach others with greater understanding and fewer assumptions.
Understanding that domestic violence can affect anyone is not meant to make us question every relationship or assume we know what happens behind closed doors. Rather, it invites us to consider how our everyday words, attitudes and actions contribute to the kind of community we create. The way we speak about domestic violence, respond to someone sharing their experience or challenge misconceptions can influence whether someone feels comfortable reaching out for support.
At Rise Above Violence, we recognize that every survivor’s experience is unique, and so are their needs. Some individuals may be ready to seek assistance, while others may still be trying to understand their circumstances or consider their options. Regardless of where someone is in that process, they deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion.
As Domestic Violence Awareness Month continues, we hope our community remembers that behind every statistic is a person whose experiences matter. It may be a neighbor, a co-worker, a friend or someone we love.
We may never know everything another person is facing, but we can choose how we respond when someone trusts us enough to share their experience. Sometimes, that response can make all the difference.
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