Relationship Violence Awareness Month
Relationship Violence Awareness Month (RVAM), also known as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, is a national observance in October that aims to raise awareness and coordinate efforts to fight relationship violence. UNC defines interpersonal violence (including intimate partner violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and relationship violence) as a broad range of abusive behavior committed by a person who is or has been:
- In a romantic or intimate relationship with the Reporting Party (of the same or different sex);
- The *Reporting Party’s spouse or partner (of the same or different sex);
- The Reporting Party’s family member; or
- The Reporting Party’s cohabitant or household member, including a roommate.
Interpersonal violence includes physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions, attempted actions, or threats of actions that would cause a reasonable person in similar circumstances and with similar identities to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others or to experience substantial emotional distress. Such behaviors may include, but are not limited to, physical violence and threats of violence to one’s self, one’s family member, or one’s pet.
Throughout the month of October, offices across the UNC campus and downtown businesses will host different opportunities for you to learn more about RVAM. The following local businesses will have goodie bags filled with more information and resources on October 17-19 as well as special promos to raise awareness for RVAM:


