By Breckan Winters, NRCDV Communications Manager
In 2025, the Domestic Violence Awareness Project advisory group grappled with the questions: what does it mean to show up in unapologetic unity with survivors during times of turbulence and upheaval? How can we stand with survivors?
Ultimately, we landed on a core campaign message that was simple and crystal clear: We are with survivors, always. Our message was built on the foundational beliefs that survivors deserve safety, support, and solidarity. In communities across the United States and beyond, advocates, survivors, and other allies shared what standing with survivors looks like to them.
When our group came back together to begin planning for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) 2026, our collective vision felt clear. To meet our current moment, we’re building on last year’s momentum, but with a sharpened focus on action. Across the United States, we’ve seen violence minimized, growing focus on domestic violence in the media, funding cuts to the services that families rely upon, and increased barriers to services for survivors and their children. Domestic violence programs are operating at reduced capacity, and some have even had to close their doors. In this critical moment, survivors deserve action.
Survivors deserve action
It is no secret that service providers in the domestic violence field are navigating a great deal of turbulence, uncertainty, and even moral injury, and that survivors and their families are facing increased barriers to accessing support, from changes public benefits to longer shelter wait times and more. This DVAM – and truly, always – survivors and their families deserve more than awareness. They deserve action.
But where to begin? The magnitude of our struggle can feel overwhelming. At NRCDV, we believe that everyone has a role to play in addressing domestic violence and standing with survivors. If you’re unsure where to begin, think about:
- Sharing your story
- Donating your time, goods, or funds to your local domestic violence program
- Talking to your loved ones, especially any children and young people in your life, about healthy relationships and red flags
- Participating in mutual aid networks and opportunities for direct cash assistance to survivors, as survivors often identify cash as their #1 most urgent need to get and stay safe
- Advocating for policies that support families (and since this is an election year in the U.S. – vote!)
When times are difficult, participating in collective action not only helps us to build the world we wish to see, it also provides us with a sense of purpose, connection, and even hope. And as bell hooks reminds us, “hope is essential to any political struggle for radical change when the overall social climate promotes disillusionment and despair."
Taking action this DVAM
In service of this year’s goal to drive action, NRCDV has developed a number of new and updated tools available at DVawareness.org/WithSurvivors, including:
- Talking points forms – printable and customizable with local data and anecdotes, these forms highlight key talking points that advocates and other community members can use for media interviews, in meetings with policy makers, and more. Download here:
- Sample press release template – customizable with local data and anecdotes, adapt our template for your community’s needs and share with your local media to raise awareness and drive community engagement.
- Community engagement printables – campaign flyers, fillable “I’m with survivors when…” signs, coloring pages, and more can be printed and distributed at local businesses, libraries, DVAM events, etc.
- Social media tools – the With Survivors, Always campaign page features shareable imagery, logos, and language that can be adapted and used to call for action. Be sure to tag @NRCDV and include #DVActionMonth and #WithSurvivors!
We’re also featuring our signature on-demand training, Domestic Violence 101, which provides an overview of the root causes of domestic violence, as well as the scope and impact on individuals and society. Drawing connections to the With Survivors, Always message, this session is designed to help new advocates, allied professionals, students, and the general public achieve a basic understanding of this complex issue and how they can be part of the solution.
For anyone looking to dive deeper into other foundational topics in domestic violence advocacy, check out the following offerings in the “Back to Basics” series, available on demand:
- The Hidden Costs of Financial Abuse and Fraud in Domestic Violence
- Seeing and Supporting Male Survivors
- The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Foster Care
Recordings, slides, and more are all available on VAWnet, and can be used for individual personal or professional development, broadcast and shared at community events, and more.
Where We Stand
Now more than ever, it feels critical to meet our current moment with action and to affirm where we stand. We stand with survivors:
- When violence is minimized.
- When resources are scarce.
- When systems fail.
- When hope feels hard.
- When action is needed.
We stand with survivors, always.
How will you take action this DVAM?
