October is the month for Domestic Violence Awareness, though an estimated 10 million men and women in the United States know about it daily. However, several characteristics of rural living make the problem difficult to see: distance and geographic location, barriers to transportation and affordable housing, the stigma of abuse, and, often, family connections with people in positions of authority. Witnessing violence in the home is recognized by researchers as a significant Adverse Childhood Experience that could lead to a lifetime of chronic health conditions such as depression, asthma, cancer, and diabetes. In 2017, HRSA began an agency-wide Strategy to Address Intimate Partner Violence and plans an update in 2023. Get rural-specific data and resources from the Rural Health Information Hub. Those seeking immediate assistance should contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.SAFE (7233).
