Domestic Violence Awareness Month
A Bittersweet Day at Your Safe Place
October is many things to many people. Amidst the turning of seasons, Halloween traditions, and the many things to remember, there is a call to make space for the survivors and victims of domestic violence.
Today, at the new site of the Family Justice Center - Your Safe Place, dozens of service providers, advocates, law enforcement, and survivors gathered to kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is a month of remembrance and recommitment.
The gathering included speeches from the San Diego Domestic Violence Council President, Analicia McKee-Chau, and the San Diego County District Attorney, Summer Stephan. These leaders highlighted the severity of this community problem and the nation-leading work being done in San Diego to uplift survivors and end intimate partner violence.
The day also included a powerful testimony by a domestic violence survivor, Natalia D. Natalia's story laid bare the destructiveness of domestic violence and the reality that this nightmare touches every corner of society. Yet her story did not end with violence but with courage, hope, and a call to action. Natalia ended her testimony by calling on us to change the conversation. She said, "Next time you hear someone ask, 'Why didn't she just leave?' invite a different conversation and ask the question, 'What can we do to make it easier for the victims to leave and to get help?'"
Changing the conversation is critical if we are going to reduce, and ultimately end, domestic violence. In 2025, a total of 14,979 domestic violence calls for assistance were made to San Diego law enforcement. This month, there are gatherings all across the county highlighting the resources for domestic violence survivors and what we all can do to make it easier for victims to get help. Click here for the flyer with details about this month's events. One such event is a vigil for the 9 domestic violence homicide victims from this past year.
At the end of the event, service providers shared their programs with all those in attendance. Maria Garcia-Lopez was there to share about the great work of El Nido. If you or someone you know if experiencing intimate partner violence and you are not sure what to do. Please call our El Nido office at 619-563-9878 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
