October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, on average in the United States, 20 people per minute are physically abused by intimate partners. An alarming 19 percent of these incidents involve a weapon. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence states 1 in 3 female murder victims and 1 in 20 male murder victims are killed by intimate partners.

In light of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, SAFE San Juans has created several great opportunities to come together as a community, actively create conversation, honor those who have suffered from such violence, and become empowered to take action in fostering an island environment characterized by respect for others, equal access to resources, and safety for all.

First, on Sunday, Oct. 1, join SAFE San Juans at the Brickworks, at 2 p.m. for the fifth annual Beautiful You Fashion Show, celebrating the beauty and diversity of all island residents. Enjoy refreshments from generous local donors while viewing featured fashions from wonderful local shops including: Be Chic, Girlfriends, 2nd Act, Kings Marine, The Studio and Deer Hazel with model hair by Spa d’Bune. Tickets are $25 and are available at the participating businesses or online at SAFEsj.org.

If you can’t make it to the San Juan Fashion Show, you can join SAFE San Juans on Orcas Island at the Random House on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m. for the third annual Beautiful You Fashion Show, to enjoy refreshments while viewing featured fashions from Orcas’s wonderful local shops including: Sequel, Monkey Puzzle and more. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at local participating Orcas businesses or online at SAFEsj.org.

Another opportunity to show support is the “Remember My Name” silent witness vigils. These displays on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez are meant to honor those who died from domestic violence in 2016. Please take some time to walk among the figures or write your thoughts in the journal provided on site. SAFE San Juans will be hosting vigils on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez throughout the month of October. The first vigil to take place will be on Lopez on Oct. 3 at the Lopez Center front lawn. San Juan Island vigil is set for Wednesday, Oct. 25 on the court house Lawn, and last but not least Orcas Island vigil will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26 across from The Village Green. Each of these vigils will take place at noon, this is a lunchtime event for the community to come together and remember the victims. We will read names and distribute flowers. The executive director and SAFE San Juans staff will be available to answer questions and provide support.

Be sure to mark your calendars and join SAFE San Juans in their work to empower our islands to live free of abuse.