NO MORE Week takes place on March 8th and is aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault. This week coincides with International Women’s Day, which also falls on March 8th, and its purpose is to foster a culture of respect, safety, and equality.

The week seeks to end sexual assault and domestic violence in all forms and to encourage bystanders to take action against these atrocities. It is also a time when individuals are urged to support organizations that combat sexual assault and domestic abuse at local, state, and federal levels.

The History of NO MORE Week

NO MORE Week was first launched in March 2013 by a coalition of advocacy groups, corporations, and service organizations. As mentioned earlier, the goal of this week is to combat domestic abuse and sexual violence until it is completely eradicated from our society.

Facts About Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence

Here are some stark and heartbreaking facts about domestic violence and sexual abuse that everyone should know:

• Over 320,000 women experience intimate partner violence during pregnancy.
• Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners as adults.
• Half of all homeless women in the U.S. are fleeing domestic violence.
• Approximately 85% of domestic violence victims are women.
• Domestic violence costs the U.S. over $40 billion annually in law enforcement involvement, legal work, and mental health and medical treatment.
• About 1 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted while attending college.
• Nearly half of college women who are raped never report the assault.
• Rape results in over 33,000 pregnancies each year.
• Approximately 33% of women raped as minors are raped again as adults.
• Over 40% of raped women expect to be raped again.

Observing NO MORE Week

Everyone is encouraged to spread the word about NO MORE Week to increase public awareness of domestic abuse and sexual assault. This can be achieved by discussing these issues with your family, teaching them how to recognize the signs, and by using the hashtag #NOMOREWeek on social media.