As RNs and other specialty care health professionals, we offer healing and hope for victims of violence. Too often our work places us as eyewitnesses to actual abuse—or to serious indicators that someone is suffering in silence.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and offers us an opportunity to amplify our voices in the national conversation over how to recognize the cycle of violence—and end it.

United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals asks you to STAND against violence, and pledge to:

BE a resource for patients or loved ones when domestic violence has been identified or suspected,

LEARN how you can help talk to patients or loved ones already suffering from violence or at risk of being attacked or abused.

SHARE this pledge and ask friends and family to sign.

“Our work isn’t done just because nurses and others are required to report the abuse. We must address systemic issues that allow abusers to continue terrorizing victims while neighbors and communities look the other way.”

—Elizabeth Hawkins, RN
Secretary, UNAC/UHCP

“I am a wife, a mom and a grandma, and I had to learn—and still am learning every day—how to support someone who has been a victim of domestic violence… There are many stories out there. I encourage people to talk about it. Talking is healing.”

—Charmaine S. Morales, RN
Executive Vice President, UNAC/UHCP