ctober is recognized as National Domestic Violence Month. Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) which evolved from the first Day of Unity observed on October 3, 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect battered women’s advocates across the Nation who were all working to help end violence against women and their children.

The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a wide range of activities was conducted at the local, state, and national levels. Although these activities were varied and diverse as the programs sponsors they all shared these common themes: Mourning those who died as a result of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived domestic violence, and connecting those who work to end domestic violence.

In October 1987, the first national Domestic Violence Awareness Month was held and that same year the first national toll-free hotline was begun. In 1989, Congress passed the first DVAM commemorative legislation and it has been passed every year since. The Day of Unity is now celebrated the first Monday in October.

In 1994 The International Purple Ribbon Project began. People who wear the ribbon support the IPRP mission: we are caring, concerned people who are working to end interpersonal violence. This refers to rape, physical and sexual assault, school violence, molestation, the sexual exploitation of children, and all physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect of children, spouses, partners, and the elderly. In nearly all of these situations, the victim knows the perpetrator, and they are often related. All forms of interpersonal abuse are violent in nature (even sexual or verbal abuse) regardless of whether or not the victim reports experiencing any physical pain or has visible wounds. This is so because the perpetrator instills fear and psychological trauma in the victim.

All types of abuse result in significant damage to the victim.

On The Day of Unity (Monday, October 3, 2005), sisters of Kappa Phi Lambda wore purple ribbons in support of the fight against domestic violence.

Zeta Chapter sisters supporting on the Day of Unity!