Misconceived notions around what constitutes domestic violence

Clear understanding of all types and survivors of DV

Using a fun, spooky season attraction to convey the harsh realities

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we hijacked the scariest holiday to expose a scarier reality.

By taking a fun, seasonal attraction and turning it on its head, the Real Haunted House of Monroe County gave our community a firsthand look at the abuse that haunts survivors year-round. Held in the most public of places—the Rochester Public Market—we turned an old bakery into an immersive, one-day, pop-up experience. 

While picture-perfect with a picket fence on the outside,
the inside told a truer reality of power, control, manipulation and coercion—a reality that represents thousands of homes possessed by domestic violence in our community.

Our most important result—three individuals disclosed for the first time that they’re in violent relationships and seeking safety and support from Willow Domestic Violence Center.