October is not only Crime Prevention Month—at Citizens' Crime Watch we also embrace National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While "crime prevention" covers a broad spectrum, domestic violence is undeniably one of the most acute and personal forms of crime. This makes it especially relevant to our mission and our community.
To Understand the Scope of Domestic Violence I wish to share some Statistics with you. About 1 in 4 women (24.3 %) and 1 in 7 men (13.8 %) in the U.S. have experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner. Over their lifetimes, 1 in 4 men and nearly every 1 in 2 women report some form of intimate partner violence. Broader measures show that over 48 % of both women (48.4 %) and men (48.8 %) have experienced psychological aggression by a partner.
Now we know that men can be victims too, approximately 1 in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. In the U.S., 42.3 % of men reported physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, including 24.6 % who experienced severe violence. Male victims tend to underreport only around 10 % report incidents to law enforcement or professionals, compared to 27 % of female victims. Reasons include stigma around masculinity, fear of not being believed, or fear of being labeled the perpetrator.
The Deadliest Risk Factors, each month, more than 70 women are fatally shot by intimate partners; having access to a gun makes a woman five times more likely to be killed by a domestic abuser. Every minute, 20 people in the U.S. are physically abused by an intimate partner, summing to over 10 million victims annually. The information we are sharing with you is according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), please visit their website for a lot more information and resources at ncadv.org.
Our Approach is to Protect, Empower and Support. At Citizens' Crime Watch, we offer the RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) program for females aged 14 and above. This powerful initiative teaches self-defense techniques and situational awareness and it’s a vital tool in prevention. Although the RAD program we currently offer does not extend to men it's equally important to acknowledge that men can also be victims.
Now, as a mom of a boy I really try to advocate for men to put aside any stigma and report; it’s the way for more services to become available to them. But let’s dig deeper into the “Why Male Victimization Is Often Under-Recognized”. Social stigma the expectations around masculinity which means that many men feel ashamed to identify as victims or to seek help. The very real fear of disbelief, many men worry that authorities or peers will assume they are the aggressors, not the victims, are a couple of reason why men do not report incidents.
What We Want You to Take Away, domestic violence is overwhelmingly common, affecting millions of people each year—across genders. Men, too, suffer abuse, often silently, due to cultural and systemic barriers. Survivors don’t simply “leave” because escape is often dangerous, complex, and emotionally scarring. Instead of judging, we must listen, believe, and support. Prevention programs like RAD, community education, and compassionate responses are essential tools in stopping the cycle of violence.
Call to Action & Support Resources
• Share this message widely to raise awareness and empathy.
• Encourage men who may be affected to seek help; help exists, and it’s okay to ask for it.
• If you're in crisis or supporting someone who is, remember the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800- 799-SAFE (7233), also available online at thehotline.org. It's 24/7, confidential, and welcomes all survivors.
My Final Thoughts, October’s dual lens crime prevention and domestic violence awareness surges us to see sexual and intimate partner violence not just as individual tragedies but as societal failures we can change. Let us stand together protecting, listening, and empowering survivors of all genders. Citizens' Crime Watch remains committed to providing safety education and raising awareness.
Until next time—stay informed, stay safe, and keep looking out for one another. Because when we know better, we protect better.
📞 Need help or have questions? Call us at 305-470-1670
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