While sometimes overshadowed by Breast Cancer Awareness Month, equally critical in necessity is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. 

It is an evil that often takes place behind closed doors and can be afflicted upon and by any demographic of people. The home is a place where everyone should feel safe, especially with their husbands, wives, children, parents, grandparents and even pets. Abuse is abuse and even one instance is too much.

But how do you talk about it? How do you seek help?

Oftentimes in abusive relationships, the abuser will slowly but surely cut off any outside relationships that their victim has, ensuring any resources that could be used against their controlling and abusive behavior never see the light of day. 

Those resources could be financial, social, physical or any other assets that allow someone to have any agency over their lives. This employed tactic makes this problem so much more secretive.

That being said, this month is just as important as ever to check up on your friends. Check up on your family. Remain aware of the signs and the symptoms affiliated with this type of abuse.

One well known non-verbal signal for help is a balled  up fist with the thumb tucked inside of the fingers. This symbol is known nationally as a call for help, so if you suspect anything wrong, watch the hands.

For helpful information, visit the website for the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. On it you can find the NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline number, join one of the offered Domestic Violence 101 trainings, or find more information on wearing purple on October 19 for #PurpleThursday.

If you are in a situation where you need help, you are not alone. There is more out there for you and anyone else who may be actively hurting. 

We are with you, and we are vigilantly watching.