Mecklenburg County is marking October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According to a Mecklenburg County news release, intimate partner violence affects one in three women and one in four men during their lifetime. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has reported an increase in intimate partner-related homicides, rising from two in 2022 to 11 in 2024.
The county is hosting an Empowerment Walk on Oct. 12 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Pineville Lake Park. Organized by survivor and advocate Shanté Cotton, the event will include music, children’s activities, educational talks, and survivor stories. Partner organizations such as the Domestic Violence Healthcare Project and Legal Aid of North Carolina will also participate.
Purple Thursday, also known as Go Purple Day, will take place on October 16. Residents are encouraged to wear purple to show support for domestic violence awareness. Mecklenburg County provides free counseling, therapy, education, and other support services for those affected.
The county’s Department of Community Support Services offers programs such as the Domestic Violence Intervention Program and teen dating abuse prevention. More information and educational materials are available on the Mecklenburg County’s official news website.
