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.
At UNC, interpersonal violence (including intimate partner violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and relationship violence) is defined 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. Learn more about Interpersonal Violence and other forms of prohibited conduct by visiting the Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Misconduct.
*Reporting Party: Any individual who reports experiencing unwanted or discriminatory behavior (including interpersonal or relationship violence, sexual violence, sexual exploitation, and stalking) prohibited by UNC Chapel Hill’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Misconduct or Policy on Prohibited Sexual Harassment under Title IX.
RVAM Events and Initiatives
Throughout the month of October, offices across campus will host different opportunities for you to learn more about RVAM. Please take a look at the calendar of events below for more information.
There are no upcoming events at this time.
- One ACT Trainings, available by request at violenceprevention@unc.edu.
One ACT is an interactive bystander intervention training for UNC students, faculty, and staff, facilitated by Violence Prevention and Advocacy Services (VPAS). With One ACT, participants will learn how to recognize incidents of sexual or gender-based violence, intervene to stop or prevent dangerous situations, and confront and overcome their own unconscious biases. One ACT features detailed, real-world practice scenarios and discussion questions so participants can build their intervention skills and become active bystanders in their communities. If you have questions about One ACT, you can contact the Violence Prevention Coordinators at violenceprevention@unc.edu. - HAVEN Trainings
HAVEN (Helping Advocates for Ending Violence Now) is a collaboration between the Equal Opportunity and Compliance office, the Carolina Women’s Center, and Student Wellness. It provides students, faculty, staff and postdoctoral students with tools to be an ally to someone who has experience sexual assault, interpersonal violence, and/or stalking. This training emphasizes the importance of listening, responding compassionately, and connecting survivors to resources on campus and in the community. HAVEN trainings are available for undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and faculty. Click here to register and learn more.