FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PCADV Reveals 2023 Fatality Report Findings, Hosts Domestic Violence Awareness Month Memorial Vigil to Remember Victims and Honor Survivors
HARRISBURG, PA, (September 24, 2024) – On October 1, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) will host a Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) Memorial Vigil to remember the 119 lives lost to domestic violence last year, honor the resiliency and hope of survivors, and recognize the hard work of domestic violence advocates across the Commonwealth. The vigil will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the front steps of the State Capitol.
DVAM, held annually in October, allows communities nationwide to join forces to raise awareness about the far-reaching impact of domestic violence.
Domestic violence is a public health issue of epidemic proportions. One in three women, one in four men, and nearly half of LGBTQ+ people will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. But it is often underreported, misunderstood, or overshadowed by other issues our communities face.
Far too often, this abuse becomes deadly. According to the PCADV’s Fatality Report, 119 men, women, and children lost their lives to domestic violence in Pennsylvania in 2023. That’s a 14% increase in deaths from the previous year. Seventy-seven percent of these victims were killed with a firearm, highlighting a decade-long trend of firearms being the leading method of domestic violence homicides.
“These high rates of domestic violence are not private, individual problems; they require community solutions,” said Susan Higginbotham, CEO of PCADV. “By acknowledging this reality, we can collectively work towards preventing domestic violence and creating safe, healthy communities for everyone.”
The event will feature Ruth Glenn, an acclaimed author, survivor, and leader in the movement to end domestic violence for over 30 years. Ruth is currently the president of Survivor Justice Action and the former CEO of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
“As a survivor and advocate, one death or incident of domestic violence, is one too many. I have been fortunate but so many have not. I hope one day for there to be no vigils, but until then I applaud the community programs, the individual advocates, and PCADV,” said Glenn.
We will hear from Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), whose proposed SAFE Housing Trust Fund would establish funding for domestic violence programs to expand transitional and permanent housing services for survivors.
“Any fatality from domestic violence is one too many and an increase in the number of fatalities is unacceptable,” said Senator Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair. “We need to provide sufficient resources to prevent domestic violence related fatalities, including by allocating dedicated resources for transitional and permanent housing services for survivors.”
Representative Lisa Borowski (D-Delaware) will also speak at the event. Rep. Borowski has been a champion for survivors, prioritizing their safety by allowing early lease termination when needed.
“Domestic violence reaches every corner of our society, yet so many victims continue to suffer alone. When communities unite like this to honor victims, and break the silence to call attention to the work advocates do to end domestic violence, we chip away at the structures that allow the cycle of abuse to continue,” Rep. Borowski said. “As a legislator, I am proud to do my part by fighting for progress on my bills to give survivors the tools they need to safely exit an abusive relationship – like the ability to end a home rental agreement early, without financial penalty. When it comes to building a future where domestic violence is no longer tolerated, we must act boldly and swiftly.”
#Every1KnowsSome1 impacted by domestic violence, and PCADV encourages community members to attend the DVAM Memorial Vigil. Domestic violence thrives in silence, and by coming together to demonstrate the importance of this issue and to show survivors they aren’t alone, you can help break the silence that often surrounds abuse.
Here are some ways that everyone can participate in DVAM:
- Attend the DVAM Memorial Vigil on Tuesday, October 1
- Purple Thursday: On Thursday, October 17, wear purple to show your support of domestic violence survivors and your commitment to ending abuse! Take a selfie in your purple and share it on social media with #PurpleThursday #DVAM #Every1KnowsSome.
- GiveForDV: Make a gift on Thursday, October 24, the official DVAM Day of Giving. Every gift makes a difference for survivors as they rebuild their lives free from abuse.
- Check the events calendar at PCADV.org to find local program events near you!
For more information on the #Every1KnowsSome1 campaign and our Domestic Violence Awareness Month initiatives, please visit www.PCADV.org/get-involved/DVAM or contact PCADV Director of Communications Lauren Duff at lduff@pcadv.org.
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Founded in 1976, PCADV is the nation’s oldest statewide domestic violence coalition. Each year, its network of 59 local domestic violence programs provides free and confidential direct services to nearly 90,000 victims and survivors of domestic violence and their children in all 67 counties of the Commonwealth. Together, local programs and the statewide Coalition work in collaboration to deliver a continuum of services, support, and systems to help victims and survivors find safety, obtain justice, and build lives free of abuse.
PCADV Media Contact:
Lauren Duff, Director of Communications
lduff@pcadv.org
717-545-6400 x 129