Thanks @keiracknightley for this #DVA Work - It's Not a #Halloween Joke

On this last day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, #DVAM, we leave you with a powerful piece from a talented and lovely actor Keira Knightley:

Keira Knightley Says ‘Cut’ – Cameras Keep Rolling In This Powerful Women’s Aid Video

Watching this public service announcement, created by Women’s Aid in the UK, was a jolt of hard reality. Please note there is trigger alert, in that this dramatization contains a very disturbing scene of violence that may bring up traumatic memories and feelings of past abuse. Though Keira is acting, millions of women are violently ‘taken’ by surprise like this everyday, and live in constant fear. I commend Knightley for making this video. The statistics shown at the end are from UK studies. Sadly, the numbers are worse here in America. The message, however, is universal.

According to research by Mother Jones:

Domestic violence is the No. 1 cause of injury to women. The incidents add up to more than all the rapes, muggings, and car accidents women experience each year. One out of every four women in the United States will be physically injured by a lover in her lifetime. That translates into a woman being assaulted every nine seconds in America.

Women’s Aid is a leading national organization that has been working in Ireland to stop domestic violence against women and children since 1974. You can donate to their site.

If you’re in an abusive relationship, or know someone who may be, there is help: Call: 800-799-SAFE/National Domestic Violence Hotline or Call: 800-656-HOPE/RAINN (Rape,Abuse, & Incest National Network) 

Special thanks to RossalynWarren/Upworthy, Liberals Unite and all the many organizations that work to help victims and end domestic violence.