Standing Together: October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
My name is Kovia, and I am the Community Liaison for SAFE. If this is your first time coming across something from us, SAFE stands for Southeast Advocates for Family Empowerment.
SAFE is more than a program; we are a lifeline. Every day, we provide food, clothing, emergency shelter, legal assistance, access to mental health care, support groups, and one-on-one peer counseling for survivors of domestic violence and their children. All our advocates are trained in trauma-informed care, ensuring survivors are met with compassion, patience, and understanding. We know trauma changes how people respond, and we walk with survivors in a way that honors their journey, rather than rushing it.
Why October Matters
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on an issue that too often remains hidden in the shadows. Every year, SAFE hosts an event to honor survivors and remember the lives lost to domestic violence.
This year, on October 11th at Cate Square Park in Hammond, we invite you to join us for a powerful community gathering. The day will include:
A Silent Auction to benefit SAFE’s programs.
A Walk of Remembrance through downtown Hammond.
A Candlelight Vigil, featuring stories shared from three perspectives: a survivor, a friend of a survivor, and a child of a survivor.
These stories matter. They remind us that domestic violence doesn’t affect just one person; it ripples through families, friendships, workplaces, schools, and entire communities.
Why Survivors Stay—And Why SAFE Exists
As someone who has personally been in a DV situation and walked beside friends experiencing it, I know how complex and painful it is.
Leaving isn’t simple. Survivors often face barriers like:
Not having a support system.
Fearing they won’t be believed.
Wanting to keep their family together.
Worrying about their children’s safety and well-being.
Wondering how to survive financially.
Believing their partner might change one day, or being afraid to get their partner in trouble.
This is why SAFE exists. We step into those gaps—providing a lifeline to safety and hope. And this is why community support is so vital. Survivors need to know they are not alone, and perpetrators need to know that their actions are seen and will not be tolerated. Which is why SAFE also offers community education to help understand domestic violence’s impacts on your community, all the ways you can help, and how you can identify a DV victim.
Why We Need You
Every year, more families turn to us for help. At the same time, state and federal funding for domestic violence programs continues to be cut. This means we rely on the generosity of our community more than ever to keep our doors open and our services strong.
The Silent Auction is not just an event; it is a lifeline. The funds raised help us provide:
A safe bed for a mother and her children.
Gas cards for survivors fleeing danger.
Meals for families starting over.
Counseling sessions that help heal trauma.
and more
When you bid, give, or share, you aren’t just supporting SAFE; you are giving survivors a chance at freedom and a future.
Stand With Us
This October, let’s stand together. Join us at Cate Square Park, light a candle in honor of survivors, and show that as a community we refuse to look away.
Event: Walk of Remembrance
Location: Starting at Hammond City Courthouse
Date: October 11, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM, the walk will end at Cate Square park, with the Vigil starting immediately after
Event: Domestic Violence Awareness Ceremony & Candlelight Vigil
Location: Cate Square Park, Hammond
Date: October 11, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Together, we can create a world where survivors are safe, perpetrators are held accountable, and families can heal.
Click here to view the silent auction, donate, or learn more about how you can help.
Because when one of us stands against domestic violence, we all stand stronger.