While October is officially designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Rhyon Ervin, the executive director of The Lighthouse, emphasizes that the battle against domestic violence is a year-round commitment for their organization.

In the United States, nearly 20 people per minute endure physical abuse from an intimate partner, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Since 1994, The Lighthouse, a non-profit located in Robertsdale, has served victims of domestic violence, their children and adult victims of sexual violence in Baldwin County and surrounding areas.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity to bring domestic violence to the light by increasing awareness and showing support to victims and survivors in the community,” Ervin said.

Recognizing domestic violence involves understanding its multifaceted signs. According to Ervin, these signs encompass not only physical abuse but also emotional, psychological, sexual, verbal, and socio-economic dimensions.

“Some signs of domestic violence may include a lack of individuality, lack of a voice as well as fear that what is said will be found out,” said The Lighthouse executive director.

“If you feel any emotional, physical or psychological response that inhibits you from acting, responding or expressing yourself in any way, then you may be in an abusive situation,” Ervin emphasized.

She underscored that situations where individuals feel powerless in decision-making, parenting, freedom of movement or even needing permission for basic actions may indicate an abusive situation.

In cases where friends or family members are aware of an abusive relationship, Ervin advises against shutting out the victim.

“One of the worst things that a friend or family can do is empower an abuser by not being a support system by getting angry, by turning their backs and deciding they have had enough,” she said. “When you shut a door on a victim, you open the door to more abuse.”

For those facing violence or suspecting someone else is in an abusive relationship, Ervin encourages making oneself available.

“They can make information available,” she said. “Sometimes people are not ready to face the reality of what they’re living in so sometimes you may have to just say, ‘if there is anything that I can do, if you need me for anything, if you ever need to talk about anything, I will speak to you and not share it with anybody.’”

The Lighthouse extends a range of services for domestic violence victims, including a 24/7 crisis hotline, court advocacy, support for children and shelter services for those facing immediate danger.

On Oct. 19, The Lighthouse will hold a candlelight vigil in May Day Park to honor those who have experienced abuse.

“It is very important for us as a community to say to victims and survivors that they matter, that their lives matter, that children matter,” said Ervin. “The vigil is to remember those who didn’t survive as well as honor those who did.”