Domestic Violence Abuse Awareness Society (DVAAS) was created in response to the lack of awareness and prevention in Billings, Montana of domestic violence in all forms. While there are agencies that have programs and shelters to assist a victim and their families in the recovery to become survivors and some prevention of domestic violence, there is not an organization dedicated to raise awareness or promote prevention on the college and/or community level. DVAAS was started by founder Jamie Rindahl, a survivor herself, to help facilitate the event Running Out of Silence in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a fun run to raise awareness and monetary donations to go to the agencies that support the recovery of domestic violence. Domestic violence affects everyone and remains silent. Every year on the first Saturday of October, DVAAS will hold the event Running Out of Silence. This consists of a one mile or five mile run/walk, vendors, live music and entertainment, a child’s area, food, and lots of information about domestic violence and promotes prevention. While the volunteers and members are mostly comprised by college students, the community is urged to participate in a hybrid correlation to raise the funding, fundraising events, and general participation. By getting everyone involved, domestic violence will not remain silent. DVAAS has a web presence, a page, and a quarterly newsletter with upcoming events or promotions, useful information and statistics, and contact information for victims to reach out for help. Plans are to continue to gain members and participants, eventually grow into surrounding areas of Montana, and, in time, build their own crisis intervention center.
