There are several month long observances in the month of October. We spent the weekend writing a lot about breast cancer awareness, one of the many observances this month.

There are several others, including National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The stats regarding domestic violence are telling and need to be changed.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, close to 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States.

One in three women and one in four men have been victims of some type of physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime.

One in seven women and one in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime to the point that they felt they or a family member were in danger of physical harm.

Unfortunately, domestic violence happens everywhere. It happens in Georgia, Troup County and in LaGrange and surrounding cities.

There are many ways you can help this month.

The easiest is to wear purple to help raise awareness about domestic violence. Wearing a purple shirt also shows that ending domestic violence is important to you.

Another way to help is to get involved with Harmony House Domestic Violence Shelter.

The shelter provides security, crisis intervention, education and advocacy for adults and children who are victims of domestic violence.

The shelter accepts donations and has several annual events, including this last weekend’s Man in the Mirror Conference.

On average, there are more than 200,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.

Help find a way to end domestic violence. Wear purple and find a way to make a difference this October.