Silence Isn't Golden

October holds quite a special place in my heart. It's my birthday month, my husband's birthday, Breast Cancer Awareness and perhaps most dear to me Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Violence is a serious public health problem in the United States. From infants to the elderly, it affects people in all stages of life. In 2009, almost 16,800 people were victims of homicide and nearly 37,000 took their own life.

The number of violent deaths tells only part of the story. Many more survive violence and are left with permanent physical and emotional scars. Violence also erodes communities by reducing productivity, decreasing property values, and disrupting social services.

Domestic violence is about power and control. It's a vicious cycle that must be stopped. Silence is the killer in this epidemic. Some alarming statistics about violence against women in the US:

• 1 in 4 women will become a victim
• there are more animal shelter than women's shelters in the US
• Violence constituted 5% of all violence against males and 22% of all violence against females
• In the US every year, about 18,700 incidents of violence in the workplace are committed by a worker’s current or former intimate partner.

You can make a difference. If you know someone who has been a victim of domestic violence or have experienced it yourself, seek help. There is no good to time to leave, no good time to seek help, but you do have your life now.