(Washington, DC) – As Domestic Violence Awareness Month continues, Mayor Muriel Bowser, along with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG), is emphasizing the importance of resources available for survivors of domestic violence. This effort coincides with the upcoming Purple Thursday, a national day of action aimed at raising awareness and solidarity among survivors.
Mayor Bowser highlighted that the District has invested over $41 million in Fiscal Year 2027 through 45 grants focused on supporting domestic violence survivors. This funding represents a nearly 7% increase from the previous two years and is directed towards organizations that offer vital services such as victim advocacy, legal assistance, and trauma-informed mental health care.
In a bid to strengthen protections for victims, Mayor Bowser introduced the Protecting Victims Amendment Act of 2026 in April. This proposed legislation aims to enhance the enforcement of court orders, improve pretrial detention for offenders, and safeguard victim privacy. The law enforcement and victim services representatives will testify in support of the bill during an upcoming hearing on domestic violence.
MPD has also launched the kNOw DV campaign to address domestic violence through community outreach and education on the warning signs and available resources. The campaign has included over 250 outreach events this year, promoting awareness and early intervention tactics to support residents.
As part of ongoing initiatives, residents are encouraged to participate in Purple Thursday on October 15 by wearing purple to honor survivors and raise awareness about domestic violence. Various outreach events will take place throughout October to connect residents with essential resources and promote prevention efforts across the District.
Read the original article at mpd