With Survivors, Always: October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Intimate partner domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another partner. Intimate partner violence is a serious and pervasive issue affecting people of every race, age, gender, socioeconomic background, education level and income bracket, and taking many forms including physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, psychological, technological and financial abuse.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported 11 intimate partner-related homicides in 2024— compared with six in 2023 and two in 2022. National statistics show that more than one in three women and one in four men experience intimate partner abuse in their lifetime.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with the theme “With Survivors, Always,” and Oct. 12 is recognized as Domestic Violence Survivor’s Day. Mecklenburg County is asking residents to lace up their walking shoes and join us as we highlight survivors, educate the community, and promote resources and hope for healing.
Empowerment Walk
- Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025
- 1:30 – 4 p.m.
- Pineville Lake Park
- 909 Lakeview Dr., Pineville, NC 28134
The event will feature music, children’s activities, refreshments, guest speakers, survivor stories, and presentation of a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Survivor’s Day.
The walk is being organized by Shanté Cotton, a domestic violence survivor, advocate, and member of Mecklenburg County’s Domestic Violence Speakers Bureau, in collaboration with Mecklenburg County Community Support Services’ Prevention and Intervention Division. Special guests and resource partners joining this year include:
- County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell (District 6)
- Safe Alliance
- Legal Aid of North Carolina
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Domestic Violence Unit
- Atrium Health’s Domestic Violence Healthcare Project and S.A.N.E. nurses
Wear Purple
Purple Thursday or “Go Purple Day” is a national day of action on Oct. 16 during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Everyone is encouraged to wear all things purple as a symbol of peace, courage, survival, honor, and personal dedication to domestic violence awareness.
Mecklenburg County’s Department of Community Support Services offers services for individuals and families impacted by intimate partner violence, including free counseling, supervised visitation and safe exchange services, state-certified Domestic Violence Intervention Program, outpatient substance use assessment and treatment, community education, and teen dating abuse prevention. The Department of Community Support Services also houses the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Domestic Violence Advisory Board and coordinates the Mecklenburg Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team.