UTICA – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the YWCA Mohawk Valley plans to offer a variety of programs throughout the upcoming month.

The announcement was made by YWCA Mohawk Valley CEO Dianne Stancato at Rutger Park in Utica.

Stancato says it’s to let victims of domestic violence know that we hear you, we believe you, and we’re here to help. She says the programs that will be offered not only raise awareness about domestic violence, but they also help to prevent the violence.

One of the two main events in October will be the Purple Ribbon Campaign, where you can purchase a ribbon with the domestic violence hotline number on it and all proceeds go toward paying for the programs that the YWCA offers.

The second event is the Week Without Violence, which will include two Take Back the Night rallies, one in Utica and one in Rome.

"Those are primarily survivor events, everybody though is welcome to come,” Stancato said. “And that is for survivors to speak out and to find their voice. There's a lot of power in that, in recovery, if they can do that and get up and tell their story in a safe space. It’s really a very moving evening and I invite everyone to join us, because it will forever change the way you think about domestic violence."

Stancato says that all of the programs the YWCA offers to victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse are free and confidential.