Safety4Survivors Hashtag Domestic Violence Survivors

Domestic violence can manifest in different ways, but what always remains clear is how important it is to help — and believe — survivors.

On Tuesday, the National Network To End Domestic Violence hosted a chat on Twitter, centered around the ways that we can advocate for the safety of survivors. NNEDV's hashtag, #Safety4Survivors began trending as people tweeted the ways in which we can address the specific challenges that survivors of domestic violence face.

The Twitter hashtag was a part of NNEDV's Week of Action (in honor of National Domestic Violence Month), which is broken down into seven days' worth of actionable items that people can do in order to fight against domestic violence.

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

As NNEDV pointed out, safety can look like different things to different people, but among the things survivors may need are safe housing, a good support network, and financial stability.

A2 Survivors should not have to leave home to find peace & safety. We advocate that every home should be a safe home. #Safety4Survivors pic.twitter.com/eAfmPv3bh4
— NNEDV (@nnedv) October 17, 2017

A3. Isolation was a big reason my abuse went on so long. Housing for victims of domestic violence is vital. #safety4survivors
— Donna Kaz (@donnakaz) October 17, 2017

Not only that, survivors need to feel safe when reporting abuse — something that might be more difficult for some than others, reiterating that intersectional identities and unique situations have to come into play in the conversation around survivors.

Latinx survivors may not feel safe reporting DV or IPV to the police—immigration status can be used against survivors. #Safety4Survivors https://t.co/v62Dk5RkSx
— Safe Communities (@NNSCommunities) October 17, 2017

Yes. I often see disabled victims left out of DV conversations even though they are more at risk than able-bodied victims #Safety4Survivors https://t.co/EbgMPzkHnk
— Leigh Stein (@rhymeswithbee) October 17, 2017

A3 More than 50% of homeless women report that DV was the immediate cause of their homelessness. #Safety4Survivors: https://t.co/pIH0GJYD6p pic.twitter.com/nCkzNJYe5J
— NNEDV (@nnedv) October 17, 2017

A7. Media often erases LGBTQ identities when talking about IPV. LGBTQ representation is vital to ending IPV #Safety4Survivors
— AVP (@antiviolence) October 17, 2017

Domestic violence, of course, may not always be physical — as Rachel Goldsmith, LCSW-R, associate vice president for the Domestic Violence Shelter Programs at Safe Horizon told us, "A person can try to take power or control over another person in a lot of different ways that aren't physical, and still could be controlling that individual."

As such, it's important to remember that it can be difficult for survivors to ask for help — but it's on all of us to keep them safe.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224 for confidential support.

Read these stories next:

Abigail Breslin Shares Her PTSD Experience For Domestic Violence Awareness Month

This Dentist Fixed A Domestic Violence Survivor's Tooth For Free

15 Signs Of Domestic Violence That Aren't Physical

Two months ago, my friend Rose and I traveled to the south of France, where, over the span of two weeks, we traversed the Côte d’Azur, exploring coastal

Let TikTok tell it, I’m neurodivergent. I’ve seen enough lists of signs and symptoms on my FYP to wonder if ADHD or borderline personality disorder sho

For more than 120 days, wedding videographer Jordan Ferrone has carefully lowered himself into a tub of ice-cold water, ranging from about 33 to 42 degrees

How To Help Domestic Violence Survivors

How To Advocate For Safety For Domestic Violence Survivors

More from Trends

R29 Original Series