If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there is confidential help available on Vashon Island.

Since 2012, DOVE has been helping victims of domestic violence and providing community-based education in an effort to reduce interpersonal harm.

So, what does that mean? On the DOVE website are these heartening words:

“If you need help you can get help. Remember you are not alone. It is not your fault. You deserve happy healthy relationships. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can look different for everyone and may include emotional and/or psychological abuse, economic abuse, physical violence or sexual assault. Abuse affects people of all income and education levels and can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together or dating. The Vashon DOVE Project serves survivors of domestic violence and victims of sexual assault. We believe everyone deserves to be safe in their relationships, homes, schools and community.”

How can the community help DOVE address this critical need? Here are two ways you can support DOVE:

One of the biggest actions the Vashon community can take regarding domestic violence is to talk about it, look at it and address it.

It’s natural to shy away from talking about sexual abuse and domestic violence. These are hard topics to discuss and not ones you want to bring up at a party. And sadly, these issues are alive and well on our island. But by shining light on the dark and hidden places, we bring them into visibility where they can be addressed and healed.

Starting this week, we enter Domestic Violence Awareness Month. DOVE is running an Uptown Purple campaign, where people can visit local businesses to get stickers and buttons to show solidarity with survivors and send a strong message that, as a community: We believe survivors. So go in, get your stickers, wear a button and talk to people.

The current administration is cutting funding left and right to social services. By making a donation to DOVE right now, you can make a huge difference in the stability and reliability of the vital services that DOVE offers.

Secondly, on Oct. 18 at The Open Space for Arts and Community, DOVE is holding its annual Share Hope fundraiser.

The theme is “Illumination,” and the event runs from 5 to 7 p.m., with music by Christopher Overstreet and nibbles by Vashon Island Baking Company and Thriftway.

You’ll learn more about DOVE and how you can be part of the solution. Get active, come out on the 18th and support DOVE.

Martha Enson is a DOVE board member.

Find out more at vashondoveproject.org/post/share-hope-2025-illuminate