October: Domestic Abuse Awareness Month
By Jaden Hilkemann, Director of CAPE Project
October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, and the CAPE Project is focused on the importance of discussing domestic abuse and dating violence with college students. Since its first declaration in 1989, this month has served as a time to acknowledge survivors of domestic violence and to advocate for those who have experienced abuse. Domestic violence affects individuals across all communities, regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, nearly one in three college women and one in ten men have been victims of dating abuse. What’s even more alarming is that more than half (57%) of college students who report experiencing dating violence and abuse say it occurred while they were in college.
College is a pivotal time for many students, as they navigate their first serious relationships and begin exploring what intimacy and romance mean to them. However, young people often receive mixed messages about what constitutes a healthy relationship. Popular TV shows and movies sometimes glamorize toxic behaviors, presenting possessiveness, jealousy, and manipulation as signs of love or passion. These portrayals can confuse young people, making it harder to recognize unhealthy dynamics in their own relationships.
It’s also important to remember that domestic abuse and dating violence go far beyond physical harm. Abuse can take many forms — emotional, spiritual, financial, and psychological, among others. Emotional abuse may involve manipulation, gaslighting, or isolation, while financial abuse can manifest as controlling a partner’s access to money or resources. Recognizing these different forms of abuse is crucial in understanding the full scope of violence that people may experience in relationships, even when there are no visible scars.
That’s why it’s essential to have open conversations about what healthy relationships look like — ones that are based on mutual respect, trust, and open communication. By addressing the prevalence of dating violence and correcting misconceptions about relationships, we can empower students to make informed choices and seek support when needed.
To further engage the campus, CAPE provided an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to pledge against violence, affirming their commitment to building a safe and respectful community. Additionally, CAPE organized a campus-wide Purple Out Day, encouraging everyone to wear purple on Thursday, October 24th, in honor of those affected by domestic abuse. On Friday, October 25th, CAPE Project Director Jaden Hilkemann joined Voices of Hope Advocates, members of the Lincoln Community, and City Council Member Tom Beckius at Voices of Hope, where Beckius read an official proclamation recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Join us in making a difference this Domestic Abuse Awareness Month — because preventing violence starts with education and awareness.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse contact Hope Crisis Center.
Text — 402–971–0855
24 Hour Confidential Hotline — 1–877–388-HOPE(4673)
The blog posts in Forward. Together. are intended to foster an inclusive community of empathy and curiosity at Doane University by providing a glimpse into various individual identities and worldviews. These are community members’ unique stories and should not be presumed to be the experience of all who share the same identity.
