Count to 60.

In that time, 20 people nationwide were abused by an intimate partner in the U.S., according to the National Coalition of Domestic Violence. In a year, more than 10 million men and women experience some form of domestic violence.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a designation meant to shine a light on domestic violence both in the U.S. and across the world. Too often, people never think about domestic violence at all. Worse, many do not see domestic violence for the epidemic that it is. Many see domestic violence as rare, media depictions of domestic violence as overblown, and the issue to be one not worth worrying about.

Domestic violence is far from rare. It is a serious issue that plagues our communities. Chances are you know someone who has experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

According to NCDV:

• One in three women and one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.

• One in seven women and one in 25 men have been injured by an intimate partner.

• On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.

• Intimate partner violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crimes.

• Seventy-two percent of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner; 94 percent of the victims of these murder-suicides are female.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is meant to raise awareness about these statistics and how widespread the problem is. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is also expected to shine a light on what people can do to help prevent domestic violence and protect survivors.

First, you can support local organizations whose goal is to help end domestic violence and to support survivors of domestic violence. You can do this with either your dollars or your time. Several local organizations work with victims, and I would recommend Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services, an organization that offers many programs and services in St. Joseph, Cass and Van Buren counties.

However, perhaps the most important thing you can do is to create an environment in your communities to show that domestic violence will not be tolerated. Create an environment where victims can feel safe speaking up about what happened to them. Take accusations of abuse seriously and don’t create excuses that can explain away an abuser’s behavior. Create a culture of support that will work with victims to get them the help they need.

In short, listen to and support victims, and shine a light on domestic violence. It can only thrive in the dark.