The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), joined by partners, advocates, legislators, and volunteers, will recognize the 112 lives lost to domestic violence throughout the month of October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed nationally during the month of October. It serves as a time to unite the broader community in the effort to prevent and end domestic violence.
Senator Tom Killion (R-9), prime sponsor of a resolution recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, will read the 2020 Senate Resolution on the Senate Floor of the State Capitol. Also, the Capitol lights will turn purple the week of October 5 to shine light on domestic violence.
In addition to the reading of the resolution, PCADV and legislators from across the Commonwealth will come together to honor those who lost their lives to domestic violence in the last year in a virtual ceremony in lieu of an in-person ceremony at the State Capitol. State Senators and representatives from districts across the state will take part in a video tribute to those 112 victims who lost their lives in 2019 to domestic violence.
PCADV will also be sharing stories throughout the month from its local domestic violence programs. The coalition will also be hosting a virtual three-day conference in the middle of the month for its local programs, with a series of workshops aimed at enhancing the delivery of services. The theme of the 2020 conference is “Domestic Violence at the Intersections of Race, Class, and Gender.”
Domestic Violence Awareness Month serves as a reminder that domestic violence isn’t a private matter. It affects the safety and well-being of whole families and communities and can quickly turn lethal. In 2019, 39 women, men and children lost their lives at the hands of a relative, totaling 294 victims killed by a relative since 2010. Additional statistics about domestic violence fatalities can be found in PCADV’s 2019 Fatality Report.