Domestic Violence Awareness Month highlights forms of abuse, local resources
Published 6:19 pm Friday, October 30, 2026
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, observed nationwide to illuminate the physical and emotional toll inflicted on victims and the far-reaching harm that extends into the wider community.
While intimate partner abuse is most commonly recognized as physical assault — such as hitting, shoving, grabbing or strangling — abuse often manifests in emotional, psychological, economic, sexual and technological forms.
Emotional abuse occurs when a perpetrator uses nonphysical tactics to manipulate or control a partner. Common behaviors include name-calling, insults, humiliation, intimidation, yelling and efforts to isolate a victim from family, friends and social support systems. Abusers often dismiss or minimize their partner’s feelings, fostering emotional dependency that can be difficult for victims to identify. In many instances, emotional abuse precedes or accompanies physical violence.
Psychological abuse follows similar patterns of coercion, frequently involving threats directed at the victim, their children, other loved ones or household pets, as well as threats of self-harm if the victim refuses to comply with demands.
Economic abuse serves as another powerful mechanism of control. Perpetrators may withhold or restrict access to money, restrict employment opportunities, or seize control of joint or personal finances. By denying access to basic financial resources, abusers make it difficult or impossible for victims to secure independent housing, food or transportation to leave the relationship.
Technological abuse involves leveraging digital tools — including smartphones, social media accounts and GPS trackers — to harass, intimidate or surveil a partner. Common tactics include continuous unwanted calls or text messages, unauthorized location tracking, and publishing a victim’s private information or photos online. Abusers may also install hidden spyware on personal devices to monitor phone calls, keystrokes and messages.
The fallout of domestic violence reaches well beyond the adults involved. According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 15 million children live in households where domestic violence occurs. Children who witness intimate partner violence, even when not physically harmed themselves, face heightened risks of anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, behavioral difficulties and learning challenges.
With the recent signing of a proclamations designating Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Howell County officials have reaffirmed their dedication to public education, prevention and connecting survivors with vital support and shelter services.
Help for victims of domestic violence is available 24 hours a day through the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 800-799-SAFE (7233), texting “START” to 88788, or dialing 800-787-3224 for TTY services.
