Domestic Violence Awareness
Published 5:00 am Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Domestic violence is a problem across every social standing, religion and ethnicity. October has been the month to acknowledge domestic violence towards both women and men, how to recognize the problem, and ways to help support and protect people in need.
The first Domestic Violence Month took place in 1987. It was created to bring more awareness to others and unify the affected victims.
Domestic violence presents in many forms including physical, emotional and financial. No one goes into a relationship thinking it could turn violent or controlled, and a person’s investment, attraction and feelings can cloud warning signs of possible violence.
While it could seem obvious to an outsider, the person who is struggling, walking on egg shells and being cautious, may not realize they are in a violent and controlled relationship. An abusive relationship can be a lot like a roller coaster, many up, special and kind days, and then low days of bitterness, sadness, silence and controlling. The good days are wonderful, but the bad days are heartbreaking.
Signs of domestic abuse
Signs that someone is in an abusive relationship include being threatened, physically hit, or a partner being controlling, possessive or jealous.
Emotional abuse doesn’t bring physical signs, like bruises, cuts and scrapes. In many ways, emotional abuse is stronger and more devastating because it can be hidden more easily. Emotional abuse chips away at a person’s feelings of independence and self-worth.
Verbal abuse like name-calling, yelling, blaming and shaming are ways for the abuser to continue controlling the relationship.
Financial abuse is another factor in domestic violence, restricting accesses to funds, taking or stealing money, preventing or sabotaging work, or making an accounting of all money spent, to the penny. All are many ways to control the narrative and keep the abused under lock and key, making them feel incapable of most anything, destroying self-confidence and restraining resources to prevent the abused from leaving.
If you think someone close to you is in an abusive relationship, speak to them in private if possible. Let them know your concerns and your worries for them. Honor their privacy and offer support through resources, child care, transportation and identifying possible financial resources.
The Buffalo and Dallas County community are blessed to have The Bright Beacon, which is a sanctuary dedicated to fostering peace, power and prosperity for survivors of domestic violence. Our local shelter embodies a mission of providing not just safety, but also a pathway to a renewed and hopeful future.
If you feel unsafe, call the Bright Beacon Hotline at 417-383-8600. Healing Harbor is a support group sponsored by Bright Beacon. Meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month. The location of meetings is kept private, but please call 417-567-3561 for more information. This support group offers a safe and confidential space, emotional support and understanding, empowerment and healing tools and connection and community. Helping everyone in our community feel safe and valuable is the goal.
Source: Domestic Violence Awareness Project, NRC, VAWnet, National Domestic Violence Center
