The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) is marking October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month by challenging community members to do their part in the effort to prevent domestic violence.

The health and social services organization recently launched the #MyPart campaign on social media and is meeting virtually with domestic violence survivors, hair salon and barbershop owners, spiritual and faith leaders, and other local businesses throughout the month to remind the community of how simple actions can make a big difference in the effort to prevent domestic violence.

“This year, as families isolate and socially distance to prevent the spread of the virus, it is more important than ever that we pay attention,” said Dulce Ferreira, MA, MAPS Director of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services. “For many victims, this pandemic has created more barriers to accessing much-needed help and services, and we all need to do our part, now more than ever.”

As part of the #MyPart campaign, MAPS has shared a series of individual actions that community members can adopt to help prevent domestic violence, including being a source of support by getting to know what resources are available in their area, speaking up when they witness any form of violence or abuse, teaching children about what it means to be in a healthy relationship, and more. To learn more about how you can help prevent domestic violence, please visit maps-inc.org/mypart.

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior where a person uses power and control to manipulate another person. It affects everyone, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, profession, or religious beliefs, and can happen between couples, siblings, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and at the workplace.

The MAPS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program helps victims and survivors along the road to recovery, providing crisis intervention, safety planning, information, guided referrals, medical and legal advocacy, supportive listening and related services, as well as community outreach and education.