The 21st Annual Day of Remembrance was an occasion for Alameda County District Attorney, Pamela Price, to advocate for more efforts to eradicate domestic violence. The event will take place on Friday, October 27, at the Family Justice Center in Oakland, serving as a memorial for victims and a platform for survivors of domestic violence, per the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.
As society continues to navigate matters related to relationship violence, DA Price, a domestic violence survivor herself, underscores the importance of unified efforts. She highlighted this by expanding the DA's Domestic Violence Unit. There are an estimated 5,000 cases of domestic violence reviewed by her office each year, demonstrating the urgency of the issue.
Alameda County's dedication to tackling domestic violence is evident in its support for the Family Justice Center. The center is recognized for fostering relationships with numerous agencies, local cohorts, and police departments, thereby offering vital services to victims of domestic violence and their families. Their much-needed assistance often becomes the lifeline for countless survivors in the healing process of post-traumatic experiences.
While acknowledging the significant contribution of the Family Justice Center, attention should also be given to the wider issue of domestic violence in the U.S. and globally. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that nearly 20 people are abused by an intimate partner every minute in the U.S., which translates to over 10 million victims annually. Hence, our collective responsibility to confront these horrid situations should go beyond Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Further escalating the predicament, domestic violence encompasses not only physical abuse but also emotional and mental harm. The effects of this type of violence extend significantly beyond physical marks and often result in enduring trauma to the victims. We all bear the responsibility to challenge the acceptance of violence in our spaces.
In DA Price's words: "We need to act. Let us stand together to protect lives, support survivors, and commit to ending domestic violence."
