Domestic Violence Awareness Month

By Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine

Some years ago, there was a young woman who dated a man who was handsome and charming and smart, and she was in love with him. That man was also an alcoholic, as it turned out. And one night, in a drunken rage, he held a gun to her head.

The gun did not go off. She packed her bags and left that place and never turned back. Well, the rest of the story is that that young woman went to law school. She became a prosecutor, later attorney general, and now the governor of the State of Maine.

Yes, I was one of the lucky ones.

Many others who experienced domestic abuse are not so lucky. So to make sure that Maine people who have experienced or who are experiencing domestic abuse know that they’re not alone and know that escape from violence is possible, I have declared October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Maine.

Here are some things you ought to know about domestic abuse and domestic violence. Domestic abuse and domestic violence affect people and families of all races, ages, genders and income levels. Nationwide, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men has experienced abuse and violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. In Maine, nearly half of all homicides are related to domestic abuse every year.

We can prevent domestic abuse and domestic violence in Maine by spreading awareness, by improving public policies to better support people affected by abuse, and by holding perpetrators accountable.

Every day, but especially during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, may we all do our part to spread awareness about domestic abuse, to challenge the behavior of abusive people, and to support survivors of abuse, whoever they may be. Together, our individual actions are what will end domestic abuse in the state of Maine.

So if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please call the statewide Domestic Abuse Helpline at 1-866-834-HELP. If you or someone you know is deaf or hard of hearing, please call 1-800-437-1220.

You are not alone, and escape from violence is possible. Believe me.