Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an opportunity to bring awareness to the impact of domestic violence and strengthen efforts to offer assistance and support to victims. The month-long observance evolved from the Day of Unity held by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in October 1981, an effort to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end domestic violence. The Day of Unity eventually grew to a weeklong observance, and in October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed.