Domestic Violence and What You Can Do

Purple flower on black background, four ways you can take action against domestic violence

Safe and healthy families are the key to ensuring safe and vibrant communities. We each have the power to change our culture of violence to one of kindness and compassion through words and our actions. Here are ways you can help build a world free from violence, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Practice healthy relationship skills

There’s no such thing as a perfect relationship, but healthy relationships are based on mutual respect, trust, open communication, equality, support, and safety. Take time to talk with the people you love about how you want to be treated and how you will treat them.

You can help prevent future violence by helping youth and young people develop healthy relationship skills early in life. Even if the conversation is awkward, it shows your child that you’re a safe person to come to if they have questions or need help in the future.

If you need help starting the conversation, download “How’s Your Relationship?” cards from Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV).

Be supportive

If you think someone close to you is experiencing abuse, the most important thing you can do is listen and withhold judgment. Survivors may not be ready to share everything with you, so connect in ways that are comfortable for them. If you don’t know what to say, we’ve put together a list of helpful things you can say and ask, and WSCADV has a downloadable Friends and Family Guide on how to help someone in an abusive relationship.

Stay in the conversation

Speak up when you see behaviors that oppress or demine others. And advocate for local, state, and federal legislation that better protects and serves survivors.

Volunteer with LifeWire and bring your energy and compassion to the work of ending domestic violence.

Follow LifeWire on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter to stay informed and be part of the conversation.

Learn about and share resources

Everyone has a role to play in creating healthy, safe, and vibrant communities. Be a source of information about domestic and dating violence. Start with LifeWire’s website to learn facts about domestic violence and why people stay.

You can make a difference!

Take Action

Make a difference

You can make a difference to your family, friends, and community by taking these simple actions:

1. Practice healthy relationship skills: Learn about the skills necessary to practice healthy communication with others. Talk to others about what healthy relationships mean to you and model respectful behavior in your relationships.

2. Be supportive: If you think someone close to you is experiencing abuse, ask them about it and offer your support. If you think someone you know is engaging in abusive behavior, talk to them and encourage them to seek help. Continue to check in and remain connected and supportive.

3. Stay in the conversation: Help shape the movement against domestic violence. Speak up to stop attitudes and behaviors that oppress others. Be a source of information about domestic violence.

4. Learn about and share resources: Everyone has a role to play in creating healthy, safe, and vibrant communities. Explore our website to find out how you can get involved and make a difference.