Local domestic violence help programs have beefed up its community outreach throughout October to raise awareness about domestic violence.

Since 1987 October has been designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Although domestic violence help programs consistently educate and promote awareness about domestic violence throughout the year to the local community, it's in October that the country comes together to recognize victims of the domestic abuse.

Domestic violence is loosely defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners within an intimate relationship. Relationships that constitute as intimate are family, friendship, dating, marriage and cohabitation.

However, according to Angie Doi, director of program services for the Child & Family Service Domestic Violence Program, the majority of the victims who are domestically abused are women in intimate relationships with their partner.

"A study done by the Hawaii Commission on Status of Women in 1993 indicated that in Hawaii one in five women would be abused during their lifetime," Doi said. "This translates into at least 64,930 women in Hawaii who will be abused during some point in their life."

Women should understand that domestic violence isn't just classified as physical abuse. Domestic violence can also take the form of sexual, verbal and emotional abuse.

When domestic violence help programs head out into the community, one of its main goals is to educate people on what healthy relationships are the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships.

"The presentations that we deliver we call prevention curriculum," said Stephanie Ragolia, Teen Alert Program Coordinator. "We explain what health relationships are, how to help a friend who is in an abusive relationships and the all the different services that we offer."

While there have been increasingly more women coming forward to speak out about their abuse, Ragolia said it's not enough. There are still women being abused who aren't coming forward.

However, the increase in women coming forward is a sign that victims are realizing that there is help out in their community.

Elena Clariza, immigrant outreach specialist for the Domestic Violence Action Center, attributes the increase to the media.

"Since the Rihanna incident, the media has covered domestic violence extensively," Clariza said. "Because of this there's more support coming from the legislation and bills being passed to protect victims of abuse."

"We just want victims to know that it's not OK to be abused," she added.

"There are many people who are afraid of coming out to talk about it; it's something that's kept quiet and it shouldn't be.

Clariza wants victims to speak out to someone before it's too late.

While data was collected to determine the number of women who will be abused in a year, it's still difficult to nail down solid statistics because domestic abuse is an underreported crime. However, every year there are women who die each year because of domestic violence. Last year there were eight deaths caused by domestic violence and between January and March of this year three people died.

"It is really hard to speak out, but there are resources and people who can help and keep you safe," Ragolia said.

Victims of abuse who call the DVAC Hotline are counseled to take action through an assessment and safety plan. This plan entails that the victim make a decision on whether to stay or leave the victim.

"We usually have a high success of safety with our victims," Ragolia said.

But, there are women who chose to stay with their abuser. According to Ragolia, there are multiple reasons for this.

"Most times the victims hope for change from the abuser; the person doing the abusing is someone involved in the victim's life and the victim doesn't want to believe that their abuser is a monster," Ragolia explained. "A big reason is fear too; fear of what's going to happen if they leave the abuser. When the woman is planning to leave her abuser, it's a crucial time for her."

Victims of domestic violence should know that they're not alone. There are people who can help them with their situation and counsel them to a safer place.

As the month of October winds down, domestic violence help programs will continue to go out into the community and raise awareness.

Last week KCC did its part to raise awareness by participating in the second annual Clothesline Project.

Colleges around the state are also doing its part to make sure that domestic violence is not silenced.

One of the buildings at Syracuse University has and will be shining purple—purple is the color associated with the Domestic Violence Awareness Month every night until Oct. 31. Staff of the college applied purple gels to the ground spotlights bathing the University's Hall of Languages in purple.

"We're going to continue to raise violence awareness and provide protection for those who are abused," Clariza said. "There is no shame in being a victim."