Domestic Violence Awareness Month - October 2021
Join us this October in recognizing the impact of Domestic Violence in Minnesota
Throughout the month of October, the Missions Inc. Programs campus will feature a display that shares the impact of domestic violence.
Visit us at 3409 E. Medicine Lake Blvd on October 1 and pick up a lawn sign to display in your own yard and walk through the display. Or visit the display throughout the month of October.
Get help
Only you know what is best for you.
You can call our confidential 24-hour crisis line: 763.559.4945, where advocates are available to listen to your concerns and offer information on domestic violence, options, and resources. We support the decisions that you make and work with you to meet your goals. Learn more about our services here.
If you’ve been assaulted or are in immediate danger, you may decide to call the police. Our advocates can walk you through what may happen when the police are called.
Stop by our campus on October 1 to get a yard sign like the one above.
On October 22, we'll be giving guided tours of the display at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. If you'd like to go on an advocate-lead tour, please RSVP at sbusch@missionsinc.org or 763.334.7946 by October 19.
Understanding abusive relationships
Power & Control
Domestic violence is not just physical, it is emotional, financial, psychological, spiritual and much more.
Often people think of physical violence when they hear the words "domestic violence," "domestic abuse" or even a term less common today like "battering."
Domestic violence is about power and control, both of which can be exerted in many different ways.
In 1980, a shelter in Duluth, Minnesota created the Duluth Model and the Power and Control wheel, which you can find below.
The Power and Control Wheel was developed based on the lived experience of women who had experienced domestic violence.
Domestic violence is rooted in obtaining and maintaining power and control over another person. Each segment of the wheel represents a tactic that is used to that end, which is reinforced by physical and sexual violence.
Not all abusers have to use physical or sexual violence to maintain their power and control if they are successful with the other tactics shown in the wheel.
Understanding Teen Dating Violence
Dating violence or intimate partner abuse is a pattern of destructive behaviors used to exert power and control over a dating partner.
This is called Teen Dating Violence in a teenage relationship. Teen dating violence is not: child abuse, bullying, fighting or unhealthy friendships.
25% of women and 15% of men experience intimate partner violence before the age of 18, according to the CDC.
It's important to instill healthy relationship values in teenagers engaging in their first romantic relationships. Below is the relationship spectrum from Love is Respect.
The mayor of Plymouth made a proclamation that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This proclamation sends a message to the city of Plymouth that domestic violence is an important issue to the city. Thank you to Mayor Wosje and the city of Plymouth for their continued partnership with Missions Inc. and their recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Find the proclamation below.
Hennepin County Attorney's Office Panel
Home Free Community Program, Program Manager Elsa Swenson participated in a panel for the Hennepin County Attorney's Office on Friday, October 15. Check out the video HERE.
Elsa presents about Missions Inc. and Home Free starting at minute 6:30 in the video. Listen to Elsa discuss the power & control wheel at timestamp 47:38. Listen to Elsa talk about the listening to survivors about their needs at 56:44.
How YOU can help
Donate
A really important way you can help domestic violence survivors is to donate to support organizations like Missions Inc. Programs.
This October you can set up a peer to peer fundraising campaign and share with your family and friends while raising money for Missions Inc. is important to you.
Volunteer
Missions Inc. Programs is looking for fully vaccinated volunteers. Our volunteer community makes an important difference in the lives of our clients experiencing domestic violence.
Please click the button below and fill out the form to help us match you with a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity. Once we receive your volunteer interest form, a staff member will email you with next steps and specific opportunities.
Remembering those who died by domestic violence in 2020 in Minnesota
Every year, Violence Free Minnesota releases its Homicide Report which details each individual in Minnesota who was killed during a domestic violence incident. This includes intimate partners, children and bystanders.
Violence Free Minnesota uses this report to better under the patterns of domestic violence and homicide and to remember those killed. Find their full report HERE.
Below are the names of every person killed by intimate partner homicide.