Miami-Dade County is preparing to mark National Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October with a special event on Wednesday, October 2. Hosted by the Community Action and Human Services Department's Violence Prevention and Intervention Division, alongside the Domestic Violence Oversight Board, the event will take place at the Stephen P. Clark Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to an announcement on the county's official website. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava stated, "As we launch National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we reaffirm our dedication to ending the cycle of violence in our community.”
With a history dating back to 1987, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month has been an annual campaign to unite communities across the nation to actively fight against domestic violence. "We are committed to supporting survivors, raising awareness, and fostering community collaboration in the fight against domestic violence," Tania Avellanet, Assistant Director of CAHSD, said in a statement obtained by the county's news release. Events throughout October are planned, including awareness walks and film screenings, aiming to literally bring into the light conversations on domestic violence.
A number of related activities are scheduled to raise awareness and support survivors, with various police departments hosting walks and the screenings of the film "The Last Drop," a sci-fi movie about relationship abuse, followed by discussions with experts. Particularly notable are the purple-illuminated buildings throughout Miami-Dade County, a visible showing of solidarity with survivors. For those interested in lighting up their buildings in the official color of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, they can reach out to Griselle Marino for more details, as indicated on the county's website.
The Community Action and Human Services Department encourages the community to actively participate in these events to further the cause. Details on how to engage with the month's initiatives, including the kickoff event registration, are available on the Miami-Dade government's release page. CAHSD's critical services, which span from emergency sheltering to counseling and safety planning, aim to empower individuals and families affected by domestic violence.
