(Washington, DC) – Today, ahead of Purple Thursday, Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice (DMPSJ), the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG) are recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and highlighting the District’s partnerships with community organizations to prevent domestic violence and connect residents with critical resources, investments in survivor services, and efforts to hold offenders accountable.
“No one should have to live in fear of violence, and we want Washingtonians to know that support and resources are available,” said Mayor Bowser. “We’re focused on making sure we have the right policies in place, that we’re making the right investments, and building the best partnerships to keep people safe and help survivors heal.”
In Fiscal Year 2027, the District has awarded more than $41 million across 45 grants supporting domestic violence survivors, an increase of nearly 7% over the past two years. These investments support organizations providing critical services, including victim advocacy, legal assistance, financial assistance, case management, trauma-informed mental health care, and medical and forensic services.
In April, Mayor Bowser introduced the Protecting Victims Amendment Act of 2026, legislation that would strengthen enforcement of court orders designed to protect victims, bolster pretrial detention provisions for domestic violence offenders, enhance offender accountability, and protect victim and survivor privacy. On October 27, DMPSJ, MPD, and OVSJG will testify in support of the Mayor’s proposed bill, B26-671, the “Protecting Victims Amendment Act of 2026” at the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety’s hearing on Domestic Violence.
“Every victim and survivor of domestic violence deserves to be heard, believed, and supported with dignity,” said Jennifer L. Porter, Director of the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants. “OVSJG remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that members of our community impacted by domestic violence have access to trauma-informed services, safety, and the resources they need to heal. We will continue working alongside our government and community partners to strengthen protections, expand services, and prioritize healing for our city.”
In April, MPD launched its citywide kNOw DV campaign, a coordinated prevention initiative across all eight wards aimed at addressing domestic violence-related assaults. Through community outreach, early intervention patrol responses, and a public awareness campaign, MPD is working to educate residents about the warning signs of domestic violence and the resources available to survivors. This year, MPD has conducted more than 250 outreach events to raise awareness and connect residents with support services.
“We want every DC resident to know the signs of domestic violence and know the resources available to survivors. And our message to survivors is clear: know you are not alone,” said Interim Chief of Police Jeffery W. Carroll.
“At MPD, we remain committed to supporting survivors, holding offenders accountable, and working side-by-side with our community partners to break the cycle of abuse.”
On Thursday, October 15, the District will join communities nationwide in recognizing Purple Thursday, a national day of action during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Residents are encouraged to wear purple to show solidarity with survivors, honor those impacted by domestic violence, and raise awareness about prevention and available resources. Throughout October, OVSJG, MPD, and community-based organizations are hosting outreach events and awareness activities across the District to connect residents with resources, promote prevention, and encourage survivors to seek support.
Resources for Domestic Violence Survivors
The District offers several resources to help victims and survivors of domestic violence access safety, assistance, and ongoing support.
- DC Victim Hotline: Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-844-4-HELP-DC (1-844-443-5732). The hotline provides crisis intervention, information, and referrals to services based on the needs of victims and survivors.
- Address Confidentiality Program (ACP): Administered by OVSJG, this program provides eligible DC residents with a legal substitute address to help protect the confidentiality of their physical address and support their personal safety plans.
- MPD Domestic Violence Resources: MPD provides information about domestic violence prevention, victim assistance, and available support services at mpdc.dc.gov/dvresources.
Residents experiencing domestic violence are encouraged to seek assistance and learn more about the resources available to help them stay safe.
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