Valentine’s Day is often associated with sweet gestures, flowers, and expressions of love. For many, it’s a celebration of romantic connections, companionship, and the warmth of being with someone special. But as we honor the beauty of love, it’s important to also reflect on its darker side—the reality that love can sometimes be a source of harm.
Each year, the Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW) seeks to shine a light on the issues that too often go unnoticed or overlooked, and intimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the most pressing. While we celebrate love, we must also confront the painful truth that for many women, the person they love most is also the one who harms them.
As highlighted in the graphic, 61% of female victims who knew their male killers were murdered by an intimate partner (Source: Violence Policy Center). This statistic is chilling, and it underscores the gravity of intimate partner violence. It serves as a painful reminder that the most dangerous place for some women is in the home, with someone they trust.
Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love in all its forms, but it also offers an opportunity to call attention to the victims of intimate partner violence—those whose relationships have turned toxic and dangerous. It’s a day to acknowledge that love should never hurt and to support those who are currently experiencing IPV. Whether through awareness, advocacy, or resources, we can make a difference in helping break the cycle of violence.
At CCAW, we are committed to shedding light on these issues year-round. By amplifying the voices of survivors and supporting those on the front lines of advocacy, we are working to ensure that love is a safe and nurturing experience for all.
If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, know that you are not alone. There are resources and support systems in place to help you find safety and healing.
On this Valentine’s Day, let’s choose to love with compassion, respect, and awareness. Let’s stand in solidarity with those affected by intimate partner violence, and commit to creating a world where everyone’s experience of love is free from harm.
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