Community leaders gathered for a Kickoff event to address domestic violence prevention
Miami-Dade County officially began its observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a special kickoff event organized by the Domestic Violence Oversight Board (DVOB) and the Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD). This event took place on October 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Center. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III, county commissioners, and various community leaders attended to support this crucial initiative.
The Domestic Violence Awareness Month launch ceremony marked the beginning of a month-long initiative aimed at increasing awareness around domestic and intimate partner violence. It also highlighted local resources and support networks available for those impacted. Data revealed that, in the United States, 24 people per minute experience rape, physical assault, or stalking by a partner, amounting to over 12 million affected individuals each year.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month - Raising awareness and offering support
Since its establishment in 1987, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month has united communities to combat domestic violence. This year, the focus was on educating the public about the prevalence of domestic violence, which accounted for 15% of all violent crimes reported each year, making it a significant public health concern.
As part of the awareness campaign, numerous buildings throughout Miami-Dade County were illuminated in purple, the designated color for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, to express solidarity with survivors.
The Domestic Violence Awareness Month kickoff event also highlighted the various services provided by the CAHSD, including emergency shelters, counseling, and safety planning for individuals and families impacted by domestic violence. Tania Avellanet, the Assistant Director of the Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD), emphasized the department's unwavering commitment to supporting survivors and fostering community collaboration in addressing domestic violence. She stated that the kickoff event represented a crucial step in empowering survivors and enhancing the support networks available to them.
A month of community engagement
Throughout October, municipalities across Miami-Dade County organized a series of events designed to educate the public and provide support for survivors of domestic violence. Among the notable activities was a 5K Run & Walk hosted by the North Miami Beach Police Department at Senator Gwen Margolis Amphitheater on October 5. This was followed by screenings of a film addressing relationship abuse, on October 9 and 10 at the University of Miami and the Julius Littman Performing Arts Theater, which included a panel discussion featuring survivor advocate Adam Joel. On October 10, the City of Miami Police Department organized a Domestic Violence Awareness Walk at MPD Central Station. The Miami Gardens Police Department held its 4th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk on October 19 at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex. The month culminated with an Awareness Walk at Goodlet Park, organized by the City of Hialeah on October 27.
The DVOB and CAHSD encouraged community members to join these Domestic Violence Awareness Month events and take part in important conversations about preventing and addressing domestic violence. These gatherings aimed to inform, support survivors, and motivate collective efforts to stop future instances of violence.
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