October has been designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a national campaign first declared by Congress in 1989 to mourn victims, support survivors, and end relationship abuse.
At WVU Potomac State College, events and discussions will take place during the entire month to educate and remind students and even staff that domestic violence comes in all shapes, sizes, forms, and relationships. It happens not only in homes but in the workplace. It is not always a spouse, and it’s not always limited to one gender, one age, or one socio-economic group.
Trina Runner is the project director for the Office of Violence Against Women Grant at the College. She is also a program coordinator and the principal organizer of domestic violence awareness programs on campus.
“There are so many questions about what domestic violence is, what the warning signs are, what the psychological impact is, and what resources are available to help both victims and perpetrators,” she said. “Dedicating a month to clarifying this information and raising awareness of it is very much needed, and I’m glad our campus has committed to recognizing the importance of this month.”
Domestic violence is defined in broad terms as a pattern of abuse to control, manipulate, harm, or humiliate another individual.
“It is about having power over another person that includes abuse that is physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, financial, or sexual,” Runner said.
Domestic violence is not just limited to couples who share a physical address. In fact, 43% of all college students report being in an abusive dating relationship.
Warning signs include:
· Insults, intimidation, and humiliation
· Mood swings
· Extreme jealousy, insecurity, and controlling behaviors
· Isolating behaviors
· Unwanted sexual contact
· Explosive temper
· Monitoring social media, location, money
· Invasion of privacy
· “Love bombing” with unwanted gifts or attention with strings attached
· Substance abuse
· Threats
· Rejection
Controlling behavior is the number one predictor of domestic violence.
“If someone is checking the victim’s phone and location, being accusatory, showing up at their work, isolating them from friends and family, demanding they go by their rules, etc., seeking help immediately is advised,” said Runner.
Types of abuse include physical, verbal, emotional, digital, financial, sexual, and cultural. Stalking is highly prevalent in abusive relationships as well. Effects of abuse can lead to anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, and more.
Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death.
According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, the devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. Every year, millions of children are exposed to domestic violence.
Although there has been substantial progress in reducing domestic violence, an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. One in three women and one in four men have been physically abused by an intimate partner, and one in five women and one in seven men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner. Millions of Americans live in daily, silent fear within their own homes.
Perpetrators of domestic violence do share a few stories in common. While every situation is unique and different and must be taken seriously, every offender who has ever been charged with or accused of domestic violence with a spouse, lover, family member, or even friend shares commonalities.
“Those commonalities include having witnessed abuse as a child, low self-esteem, traditional views that wives should be submissive, believing they can change their partner, believing that jealousy is a form of protection or love, substance abuse of victim or perp or both, feelings of being stuck and unable to do anything about the abuse,” Runner said.
According to a 2025 study conducted by the World Health Organization, an estimated 840 million people globally have experienced some form of partner or sexual violence during their lifetime, a figure that has barely changed since 2000. In fact, the WHO report indicates that in the last 26 years, there has only been a decline in domestic violence of 0.2%.
For the first time, the recent WHO report includes national and regional estimates of sexual violence by someone other than a partner. It found that 263 million women have experienced non-partner sexual violence since the age of 15, a figure experts caution is significantly under-reported due to stigma and fear.
Despite the report, funding for programs that increase awareness and implement strategies to prevent violence against women is declining, the WHO warns. The 2025 study underscores the reality that violence against women begins early and risks persist throughout life. For example, in the past 12 months alone, 12.5 million adolescent girls aged 15-19 years of age, or 16% of all women, can report having been physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner in her lifetime.
Although most victims are women, abuse doesn’t discriminate based on gender, income level, race, age, or any other factor. Men can be victims of domestic violence as well, especially as children.
“About one in three men report some form of domestic violence, but they have different obstacles. There is a stigma to males reporting; they can be harassed, bullied, or not taken seriously, which can add to the shame and isolation,” said Runner. “There are also fewer shelters that house men, although many will make arrangements to have them housed safely in a hotel in order to protect them”
Reportedly, a victim of domestic violence will leave his or her abuser at least once and return at least once. Moreover, statistics show this pattern will continue several more times until either the abuse escalates or the victim seeks outside intervention.
“Each instance is different, but a common reason victims return to the abuse includes fear of retaliation on them or their children, emotional manipulation and gaslighting, financial dependency, isolation because the abuser has kept family and friends away, no way to safely communicate in order to seek help, and cultural pressure to stay together,” Runner said. “There is a lot of shame, guilt, and feelings of rejection and disappointment involved as well.”
The National Center for Women’s Health reports that, on average, it takes seven attempts to leave an abusive relationship for good.
Leaving an abusive partner is rarely a single, simple event. It is a complex, ongoing process. The moment a survivor tries to leave is often the most dangerous time. Abusers frequently escalate threats or violence when they feel they are losing control. Many survivors lack independent access to money or resources, making basic survival difficult. And abusers may threaten the safety of children, family members, or pets. Then there is the element of emotional blackmail to get the victim to stay, which can include gaslighting and the systematic cutting off of support systems, which leaves victims feeling trapped.
And some victims return because the abuser has promised it will “never happen again” and that “things will change.” But can it? Does it ever get better?
“There are intensive programs and therapy that can change the patterns, but someone simply saying they will change is unlikely to actually come to fruition,” said Runner. “Because so much domestic violence is hidden, it can be easy for people to feel they are alone. Our campus and community can provide resources to help victims navigate the systems to end the violence and help create safe, healthy relationships.”
If you suspect someone you love is the victim of domestic violence, or if you are experiencing any form of domestic violence, please seek help and advice from professionals. Some of those resources are available at DV Awareness, DV Warning Signs, and Support a Survivor , by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-SAFE, the WVU Hotline at 304-906-9930 or call 911.
On the WVU Potomac State College campus specifically, you can report suspected domestic violence (a violation of the College’s Title IX policy). This can be anonymous or with full information. The investigation and follow-up can include mental health support, class changes, rooming changes, assistance in getting protective orders, legal repercussions, assistance with navigating legal, and emotional and physical needs.
Students are also encouraged to download the “Get the Live Safe” app to have direct contact with campus police and can set location tracking for extra security, text WVU to 741741 or contact campus police directly.
For Domestic Violence Awareness Month, on October 7 in the University Place Theatre, there will be a viewing of a documentary on the Gabby Petito story. Petito was the 22-year-old who documented her cross-country adventure with her boyfriend, which ended in her murder. There will be a discussion after the screening on warning signs, patterns, resources, and support.