Mayor Harrell and City Council Proclaim October 2025 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Seattle”

Seattle—This week, Mayor Bruce Harrell and the Seattle City Council proclaimed October 2025 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Seattle,” and at the moment, the Mayor’s workplace and City staff participated in “Purple Thursday” by sporting the colour purple to lift consciousness and honor survivors of home violence.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month, first established in 1987, is held yearly in October to lift consciousness about home violence, present assist for victims and survivors, and amplify sources to make Seattle a spot the place home violence doesn’t exist.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time to honor victims and survivors, raise awareness about available resources, and reflect on the steps we as a community need to take to stop this traumatic and violent behavior,” stated Mayor Bruce Harrell. “The City’s significant investment in culturally competent community partners is reducing stigma and barriers to services for survivors through compassionate care. But it takes all of us working together to ensure we remain steadfast towards ending domestic violence in Seattle once and for all.”

“You can judge a society by how they treat their women and children through laws, policies and protections,” stated Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5). “I’m proud that our city officially recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and supports dedicated organizations such as The Seattle Women’s Commission and Seattle Indian Health Board. Together, we honor victims who have survived, mourn lives lost, and celebrate the work of advocates committed to ending cycles of domestic violence and gender-based violence.”

Using a trauma-informed method to service supply, the City of Seattle invests $15 million yearly in community-based companies, shelters, authorized cures, and survivor helps. This work is completed in partnership with greater than 30 organizations, offering over 7,500 companies to survivors and their households every year.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a reminder and a call to action,” stated Tanya Kim, Director of the Human Services Department. “Survivors deserve safety, dignity, and a clear path to healing. Everyone has a role: wear purple, check on friends and neighbors, and help connect people to services.”

On a typical day in 2024, home violence hotlines in Washington State acquired 727 contacts, averaging greater than 30 contacts per hour, in keeping with the National Network to End Domestic Violence. In 2024, 45 individuals have been victims of home violence murder throughout the state as tracked by the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Along with offering supportive sources for victims and survivors, the City additionally works to create a good, wholesome economic system the place employee’s rights are protected. Implemented in 2012 as one of many first legal guidelines of its sort in Seattle, the Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance has supplied staff affected by home violence with assist to entry sources for themselves, a member of the family, or a family member by requiring employers to offer staff with paid depart for absences associated to home violence, sexual assault, or stalking. In 2023 Seattle grew to become the primary jurisdiction within the nation to develop these employee protections to offer advantages to app-based staff on a everlasting foundation. 

“Seattle has led the nation in a host of worker protections and the PSST Ordinance continues to improve the lives of Seattle workers who have been impacted by domestic violence. PSST helps reduce the stigma and allows individuals to prioritize the safety of themselves and loved ones during a difficult time,” stated Steven Marchese, Director of the Office of Labor Standards (OLS). “Under the law, workers experiencing domestic violence can take time off to seek medical, legal, and housing support without risking lost income. Through numerous education and outreach methods, OLS staff ensure workers know their rights and businesses follow this law.” 

New this 12 months, the Seattle Women’s Commission introduced ahead an extra Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation particularly highlighting the affect of gender-based violence on immigrant and refugee communities, together with ladies, LGBTQ+, and gender-diverse survivors in Seattle.

“Domestic violence disproportionately affects immigrant communities, specially those displaced by war, violence or from patriarchal societies,” stated Naseem Ghazanfari, a Seattle Women’s Commissioner and an immigrant lady herself. “We need to be clear: violence is not a “culture”, however a results of techniques that train domination as an alternative of equality. By recognizing this burden, we inform the victims that they aren’t alone. That we see them, we hear them, and we admire their resilience. That the City stands with them.”

On Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Seattle Women’s Commission and HSD’s Mayor’s Office on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence will host an occasion to honor survivors, suppliers and advocates who domesticate hope and therapeutic. This occasion is open to the general public and can happen within the Bertha Knight Landes Room at City Hall. Please register to attend.  

If you or somebody you understand wants free, confidential help, you possibly can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) or name the 24/7 DVHopeline at (877) 737-0242.