October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

During this week’s City Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Boston, reaffirming its commitment to supporting survivors and raising awareness about the pervasive impact of domestic and sexual violence.

According to recent data, the issue remains widespread across Massachusetts and Boston. A 2023 report from Jane Doe Inc. recorded 19 domestic violence homicides in the state. In Boston alone, the 2024 Police Crime Statistics Report showed 903 incidents of domestic aggravated assault – a rise of 43 cases from the previous year.

The resolution highlighted alarming statistics from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, revealing that nearly 34% of women and 32% of men in Massachusetts have experienced physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetimes. Nearly half of all women and a quarter of men in the state have faced some form of sexual violence.

Young people are also affected. Eleven percent of high school students and six percent of middle school students in Massachusetts reported being physically hurt by a date at some point.

The Council acknowledged the exacerbating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which many victims were isolated with their abusers due to stay-at-home orders. Domestic violence hotlines experienced a sharp increase in urgent calls, with survivors reporting more severe incidents.

The resolution also drew attention to the heightened danger posed by firearms in domestic violence situations. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the presence of a gun increases the risk of homicide for women by 500%.

Importantly, the Council emphasized that domestic and sexual violence often goes underreported, especially among immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those hesitant to contact law enforcement.

By recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Council aims to break the stigma, raise awareness, and remind survivors throughout Boston that they are not alone.