The Silent Battle: Domestic Violence within our Community

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and for many in the military and Veteran community, it’s a daily reality. Behind the uniforms and strong faces are people fighting quiet battles at home that no one sees.

Domestic violence isn’t always about visible bruises or shouting matches. It can look like control, isolation, or constant criticism. It’s when your phone is checked without permission, your opinions are dismissed, or your peace slowly disappears. In the military, that silence often runs deeper. The same loyalty and strength we’re taught to value can sometimes keep survivors from reaching out, afraid to be seen as weak, afraid of taking that lifechanging next step, afraid to ruin a career, or simply afraid of what might happen if they tell someone.

The numbers tell a painful truth. The Department of Defense reports nearly 20,000 service members experience domestic violence each year. Research also shows that over 30% of women Veterans have faced intimate partner violence, and sadly, most cases go unreported. Behind every statistic is a name, a story, and a person who deserves safety, support, and hope.

At Shero Coffee Club, we believe courage isn’t just shown on the battlefield, it’s also shown when someone finds the strength to ask for help. Our mission has always been to keep the world caffeinated and women Veterans celebrated, and that means standing up for those who are hurting. We stand against all forms of domestic abuse and violence. We see you. We believe your story. And we want you to know you are never alone.

If you or someone you know is in danger, please reach out for help by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788. For military families, Military OneSource offers confidential help at 1-800-342-9647.Veterans can also reach the VA’s Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program at www.socialwork.va.gov/IPV.asp.

As we sip our coffee this month, let’s also pour compassion into our conversations. Check on your friends and even family members. Listen without judgment. Remind someone that help is available and that their life has so much value.

At Shero Coffee Club, we’ll keep using our voice and our platform to say what must be said — we stand with survivors, we stand against domestic violence, and we stand together.