About Week Without Violence

Week Without Violence is part of a global movement with YWCAs across the country and around the world to end violence against women and girls. At YWCA, we know that not all violence is acknowledged or responded to equally and that some victims go unrecognized altogether. That’s why, for more than 20 years, YWCA has set aside one week in October as a Week Without Violence. Join us from October 16–21, as we raise awareness, elevate survivor voices, talk with policymakers, and more with a common goal: centering survivors so that together, we can end gender-based violence.

Learn More

Imagine a World Without Violence

When we envision a world without violence, we begin to build a path to creating that world. Help us raise awareness about gender-based violence, support survivors, and envision a world without violence!

Today, and all through the week, we ask you to:
Take a Week Without Violence campaign selfie (or group photo) using one of our customizable signs, tag us on social and use #WWV23, and then tag five friends and challenge them to do the same!

Advocacy Day of Action

On our Week Without Violence Advocacy Day of Action, we invite you to engage your Members of Congress by taking action online in support of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act; calling your legislators; and engaging in discussions on social media using #WWV23 and tagging your Member of Congress.

Stay connected: Sign up to receive our action alerts.

Find a Week Without Violence Event

Check out the Week Without Violence events in your area and see how you can participate!

Social Media Storm

Join us for an engaging social media storm from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET, hosted by our team at @YWCAUSA! We will be discussing tech-facilitated gender-based violence, the harm it causes offline, and how to promote and ensure online safety. Participate in the conversation on social media by tagging us at @YWCAUSA and using #WWV23 (plus #WeekWithoutViolence or #WeekWithoutViolence2023 if spacing permits).

Not On Our Screens. Not In Our Streets: A Movement Towards Violence-Free Communities

How are YWCAs in North America and around the world responding to gender-based violence and tech-facilitated gender-based violence in communities, and how can we all work together to promote safety in all spaces where violence occurs? On October 20^th at 3 p.m. ET, join YWCA Canada, YWCA USA, and our panel of experts and advocates for a robust conversation that will explore these questions, uplift the work YWCAs do every day in their communities, and more. Register today!

#SelfCareSaturday

Service providers, advocates, and activists in the fight to end gender-based violence all care deeply about these issues, and about the survivors they help each and every day. Unfortunately, this work can also cause vicarious trauma for individuals as they work with survivors who have undergone serious trauma or can retraumatize individuals who are survivors themselves.

Taking the time to engage in healing and self-care as a provider, advocate, activist, or survivor is an integral part of your own mental and physical well-being and will help make you an even more powerful advocate for your causes and clients.

Events

Raise awareness and advocate for the accessible, effective, and consistent resources that survivors and communities need to build the flourishing futures they deserve.
View All Events Host an Event

Self-Defense Workshop

YWCA Greater Green Bay

Thursday, October 19, 2023
5:30pm

In-Person

Y Dub Discussion: Domestic violence in the digital age

YWCA Dayton

Monday, October 16, 2023
12:00pm

Virtual

People, Pets, and Abuse: The Healing Connection

YWCA Alaska

Tuesday, October 17, 2023
12:00pm

In-Person

Our Mission

At YWCA, we know that not all violence is acknowledged or responded to equally and that some victims go unrecognized altogether. That’s why we focus on ending gender-based violence, including domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and harassment.

View Highlights from our local associations

GET HELP

YWCA reaches approximately 1 million women, girls, and their families through 194 local associations in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

We provide critical programs, including domestic and sexual violence services, through 12,500 staff members and 52,000 volunteers.

REACH OUT