How Local Businesses Can Support Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Written by: Chloe Alfery
A Season for Change
October brings powerful shifts, from cooler weather to moments of reflection that move communities toward healing and action. It is also National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a time to honor survivors and take collective responsibility for creating safer spaces.
For decades, DVAM has provided a platform for those affected by physical, psychological, and sexual abuse to find connection and courage. According to the CDC, around 41% of women have experienced domestic violence in at least one of these forms.
At Boss Babe Networking (BBN), our mission is to uplift women who have persevered through life’s hardest challenges to become strong entrepreneurs. By highlighting powerful stories and offering strategic social media guidance, BBN helps amplify survivor voices and drive impact through community and connection.
If your local business wants to advocate for survivors but is not sure where to start, these tips can help you take meaningful action this month and beyond.
Show Support by Listening
Many survivors hesitate to share their stories, not because they lack strength, but because they fear being misunderstood.
Kristen Faith Sharpe, founder of BBN, has shared how her own history with domestic violence became the foundation for her business. By speaking openly, she inspires others to see that healing and rebuilding are possible.
If you are a business owner, consider leading with vulnerability. Let your team know that your workplace is a safe space for honest conversations. When you show empathy and openness, others may find the courage to come forward and seek support.
This month, Founder Kristen Faith Sharpe & her husband TerryJosiah Sharpe will be speaking at the El Paso County Domestic Violence Task Force Conference on October 30th at the Family Success Center in Colorado Springs. Their message will focus on the full picture of domestic violence and how the community can help combat the issue.
Foster Community Through Collaboration
Many survivors are now thriving as entrepreneurs and creators. By collaborating with or highlighting survivor-led businesses, you can strengthen your community while spreading awareness.
For example, HerStory recently featured Ali Rice, founder of Ascension Society, who transformed her pain into purpose through her upcycled fashion line. Her designs symbolize strength, healing, and rebirth, showing that even from hardship, beauty can rise.
Connecting your business with others that advocate for DVAM creates a powerful ripple effect. Together, these collaborations foster hope, resilience, and empowerment in the community.
Give Survivors a Platform
If you do not yet know survivors who are ready to share, create space for them to do so. Whether it is through social media features, local events, or community newsletters, offering a platform for survivor stories can be life-changing.
At Boss Babe Networking, we’ve created HerStory to highlight women and their journey through business. These stories remind us that healing and entrepreneurship can coexist, and that storytelling can be a catalyst for change.
By amplifying these voices, you may encourage someone to step forward and begin their own journey toward healing.
Educate Your Team
True awareness goes beyond social media. It starts with education in the workplace.
“When I first started sharing my story, I never imagined how many business owners would come to me asking, ‘What can we do to help?’ The truth is, creating safer spaces starts with education. Companies like Sephora have set a powerful example by building domestic violence awareness into their workplace culture, and it is something every organization can do.”
— Kristen Faith Sharpe, Founder of Boss Babe Networking
Bring in an expert to host a lunch-and-learn, share local resources, or provide access to online training. When employees understand how to recognize and respond to domestic violence with compassion, it creates a culture of empathy and awareness that can save lives.
Understand the Impact on the Workplace
Domestic violence does not stop at home. It follows survivors into the workplace, and the financial and emotional costs are staggering. Research shows that survivors of domestic violence lose an estimated 8 million paid workdays each year in the United States. Studies also indicate that up to 60 percent of survivors lose their jobs or are forced to leave due to abuse-related issues such as harassment, missed work, or safety concerns.
For small businesses, these numbers highlight both a challenge and an opportunity. When your team is small, every person matters. The loss of one employee can deeply affect morale, productivity, and financial stability. However, small businesses are uniquely positioned to respond with compassion and flexibility.
You can create real change by prioritizing education, offering resources, and fostering open communication. Investing in your employees’ wellbeing is not just the right thing to do; it is also a smart business decision. Small businesses that care deeply about their people build stronger teams, increase loyalty, and stand out as leaders in their communities.
Lead With Compassion
Every business has the power to break cycles of silence by leading with compassion. This October, challenge your company to take one intentional step, whether it is hosting a training, partnering with a survivor-led business, or sharing a story that inspires hope.
Then, share your step on social media and tag @BossBabeNetworking so we can amplify your impact and celebrate the difference you are making.
When businesses lead with heart, awareness turns into action, and action changes lives.
