Baltimore Marks the Beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, October 1, 2026) – Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), and the City of Baltimore mark October 1, 2026, as the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), renewing a citywide commitment to prevent intimate partner violence, support survivors, and strengthen accountability and intervention for those who cause harm.

This year's message, "Relationship Violence is Preventable, and Everyone Has a Role," moves the conversation beyond awareness. Throughout October, Baltimore will highlight ways residents, business owners, service providers, public agencies, community organizations, and trusted community members can recognize warning signs, connect people to help, promote healthy relationships, and stand together against violence.

Intimate partner and dating violence affects people across every community. National data shows that more than 1 in 3 women experience intimate partner violence during their lifetime, while CDC data has found that 1 in 4 men experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner with a related impact. An estimated 1 in 3 teens experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from a dating partner before adulthood, and some LGBTQ+ populations experience intimate partner violence at rates approaching or exceeding 1 in 2. This year alone, domestic violence has accounted for nearly a quarter of all violent crimes in Baltimore City.

"Baltimore's historic reductions in homicides and nonfatal shootings have shown what is possible when we work together with urgency, focus, and shared responsibility," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "Domestic violence has to remain part of that citywide safety strategy. Awareness matters, but awareness alone is not enough. We have to move toward accountability, proactive prevention, and early intervention. Violence, including teen dating violence, in our homes and relationships has no place in Baltimore. We will continue to work across City government to end domestic, intimate partner, and gender-based violence in all forms."

"Preventing relationship violence begins long before a crisis," said Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen. "It means giving young people and families the tools to build healthy relationships, making sure survivors know where to turn, and creating neighborhoods where people are willing and prepared to step in safely when they see signs of harm. Violence can take many forms, and we cannot use a one-size-fits-all approach to support. Every part of our city has a role in addressing trauma and building a culture of safety."

"I am grateful to the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement for bringing this year's Domestic Violence Awareness Month kickoff to District 10, and to the Middle Branch Fitness & Wellness Center for hosting us," said Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, District 10, Chair of the Public Health & Environment Committee. "Local government has a responsibility to make sure survivors don't have to navigate their path to safety alone, and that the support they need is close to home, easy to find, and built on trust. Bringing this kickoff into our neighborhood sends a clear message: City Hall stands with survivors, and we are committed to strengthening the partnerships between city agencies, advocates, and service providers that help people heal and rebuild. I encourage families across our city to join us, connect with the resources available, and commit to checking in on the people they love."

"Domestic violence is a serious problem that affects individuals, families and neighborhoods, and addressing it requires all of us to work together," said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. "We all have a responsibility to recognize the signs of domestic violence, while lending an ear, offering support and connecting victims and their families with resources. As we begin Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are proud to work with so many partners who are leading the charge to end domestic violence. Let us recommit ourselves to creating a community that helps break the cycle of violence and hold accountable those who perpetuate domestic violence against others. Together, we can make Baltimore safer for everyone."

IPV prevention cannot be addressed in isolation and continues to be a key focus within Baltimore's Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan (CVPP). The public draft of Baltimore's next comprehensive plan explicitly names expanding supports for survivors, including housing assistance, and improving coordination among IPV prevention partners as core goals for the City's public safety strategy over the next five years. Residents may share feedback on the draft by completing a public survey or emailing MONSE@baltimorecity.gov.

"Our violence prevention strategy must account for the ways intimate partner violence intersects with community safety, family stability, housing, health, and long-term trauma," said Stefanie Mavronis, Director of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. "Through Baltimore's next Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan, MONSE will continue strengthening coordination across systems so that survivors receive responses that are effective, appropriate, and centered on safety, while people who cause harm are met with interventions and accountability that can interrupt violence and support lasting change. No single agency can do this work alone, which is why collaboration remains essential."

Over the past four years, Baltimore has experienced historic reductions in violent crimes and with an 8% reduction in total reported crimes through August 2026. This is also true for domestic violence, however, City leaders caution that police reports capture only part of the picture.

"The reduction in reported domestic violence crime can feel encouraging, but we cannot interpret fewer police reports as proof that fewer people are experiencing abuse," said Wendy Lee, Deputy Chief of Intimate Partner Violence Prevention for MONSE. "Our providers are telling us that more people are reaching out for help and that the need for emergency shelter, safe housing, and other supports remains significant. Those realities tell us that our response must be both data-informed and grounded in what survivors and service providers are experiencing every day. Prevention cannot live within government or victim service agencies alone, it takes all of us working together."

The City will officially kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month today, Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center (201 Reedbird Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21225). The free community event will feature a resource fair and an evening focused on safe and healthy relationships, community, and connection. Residents will have an opportunity to meet local service providers, learn about available resources, and participate in activities that reinforce prevention, safety, and support.

Mayor Scott encourages residents to participate throughout October by:

Attend the DVAM Kickoff and Resource Fair: Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center, 201 Reedbird Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21225.

Wear Purple on Purple Thursday: Thursday, October 15, 2026, to show solidarity with survivors and support for ending domestic violence.

Take a prevention training: Beauty industry professionals can participate in MONSE's Domestic Violence Training for Barbers & Beauty Professionals, and Baltimore City employees are encouraged to complete MONSE's new on-demand intimate partner violence training via Workday.

Bring prevention into the community: Faith communities, neighborhood associations, employers, schools, civic organizations, and other groups are encouraged to reach out to MONSE to host workshops, share resources, and create opportunities to discuss healthy relationships and how to respond safely to signs of abuse.

Stay connected: Follow MONSE on Facebook, Instagram and X throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month for resources, local events, prevention information, and ways to participate.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and needs support, contact: