BALTIMORE, MD (Tuesday, October 5, 2021) – Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Baltimore City and a $750,000 grant for domestic violence prevention that will aid Baltimore City in addressing service delivery, victimization, and life-saving interventions. 

Reducing incidents of intimate partner violence is a key focus of the Mayor’s Comprehensive Violence Reduction Plan, released in July.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is about promoting healthy households and creating the change that we hope to see in our communities,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Our residents deserve leaders who prioritize the public health of our communities and cultivate environments where our children can grow and thrive. That is why we are proud to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month as we work to reduce violent crime and focus on intimate partner violence in our City.” 

Established nationwide in October 1987, Domestic Violence Awareness Month raises awareness for domestic violence issues, victims, and survivors and encourages networks for change.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, intimate partner violence impacts millions of people annually, including an estimated 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men across the country. This year alone, intimate partner violence has accounted for more than 20 percent of all violent crime in Baltimore City and can be as high as 30 percent in neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by poverty and crime. 

“We must do better,” said Shantay Jackson, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. “MONSE is committed to doing more to coordinate a sensitive and appropriate response to intimate partner violence that recognizes the importance of removing the sole responsibility of safety from the shoulders of survivors. We are proud to co-produce this work in collaboration with advocates and service providers in Baltimore City, along with many local, state, and federal government partners.”

Mayor Scott also announced that Baltimore City will receive a $750,000 domestic violence prevention grant in conjunction with key partners including the Baltimore Police Department, the House of Ruth Maryland, and Mercy Medical Center’s Family Violence Response Program. This funding is made possible under the Improving Criminal Justice Response to Domestic Violence Program of the United States Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women.

“This grant will aid our efforts to collaboratively build out a fatality review process for incidents of intimate partner violence to address service delivery, victimization, and interventions that can save lives,” continued Mayor Scott. “I look forward to working with Director Jackson as we strengthen our intra-agency coordination and effectiveness and work to end domestic violence in our city.” 

Under the Scott administration, Baltimore will invest to expand programs that change the behavior of perpetrators of intimate partner violence and work with organizations providing abuse intervention programming. As part of this strategy, Mayor Scott encourages community-based organizations supporting this work to visit the new grants portal to apply for funding. 

In support of Domestic Violence Prevention Month and advocates, bystanders, first-responders, friends, and family who are creating change, Mayor Scott has ordered the City Hall Dome be illuminated purple throughout the month of October. 

In addition, Mayor Scott encourages residents to participate in the following:

• Domestic Violence Awareness National Day of Action: Celebrate Purple Thursday on October 21, 2021 by wearing purple attire, ribbons, and/or purple pins;
• Social Media: Follow MONSE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month for resources, local events and tips regarding domestic violence;
• Join the National Conversation: Include the hashtag #EveryoneKnowsSome1 in your social media interactions.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence and needs resources and support, please reach out to any of the following helplines and websites listed below or visit your nearest hospital for assistance:

• House of Ruth Maryland: 410-889-7884 / www.hruth.org 
• Turn Around, Inc.: 443-279-0379 / www.turnaroundinc.org  
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 / www.thehotline.org    

Read more about Mayor Scott and MONSE’s intimate partner violence prevention work in the Baltimore City Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan.