This is Domestic Violence Awareness month — but let’s talk about it all year | Opinion

While our nation grapples with pressing issues like the opioid crisis, homelessness, gun violence and housing unaffordability, another critical epidemic continues to devastate lives — domestic and intimate partner violence. This urgent issue is shattering families and claiming lives in communities across the country, including right here in Miami-Dade County.

Way too often, we see heart-breaking headlines where parents in our community are killed by their intimate partners, leaving children orphaned. These are just the stories that make the news, but the problem is much more widespread. It is affecting every ZIP code, race and demographic, and it is affecting every one of us. We are all, knowingly or not, connected to someone who has experienced or is experiencing domestic violence.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. That adds up to more than 12 million women and men every year. Shockingly, nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner. What’s more, 30% to 60% of those who commit intimate partner violence also abuse the children in the household.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and it offers us a crucial opportunity to shine a light on this epidemic. Recently, the Miami-Dade County Domestic Violence Oversight Board (DVOB), in partnership with local agencies, hosted two events designed to raise awareness, engage the community and inspire action to address this crisis.

The two events, at Florida International University and the University of Miami, featured a free screening of Adam Joel’s The Last Drop, a powerful, 40-minute, sci-fi film highlighting the subtle signs of controlling relationships that often lead to violence or lethality.

A panel discussion with subject-matter experts, domestic violence survivors and the film’s producer followed the viewings. The 120 attendees engaged in a much needed, at times difficult, meaningful conversation.

Throughout October, there will be various events bringing awareness to domestic violence and the resources available for survivors, victims and those impacted. We encourage you to join them.

Additionally, buildings throughout Miami-Dade County will be lit in purple to show solidarity with domestic violence survivors, and we encourage businesses and offices to join and light their buildings in purple as well.

Domestic violence is a public health crisis that should not be tolerated in our homes, schools, workplaces or communities. As we observe National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let us come together to say that this violence is unacceptable and take concrete steps toward ending it.

As National Domestic Violence Awareness Month closes at the end of the month, let us unite and continue to build on these critical discussions and initiatives to combat and eradicate domestic violence.

About the Domestic Violence Oversight Board: The board is committed to building a comprehensive, ethical and trauma-informed coordinated community response to domestic and intimate partner violence. We work to prevent domestic violence, support those affected and promote accountability through coordinated efforts, collaboration and community engagement, ensuring a safer and more just community for all.

The vision is for Miami-Dade County to be a model of safety and support, where a comprehensive, trauma-informed system prevents domestic violence, uplifts those impacted and holds perpetrators accountable — creating a community where everyone can live free from violence and harm.

For more information on the Miami-Dade County Domestic Violence Oversight Board, visit: Domestic Violence Oversight Board. For more information on domestic violence services and resources, visit Domestic Violence Resources and Awareness

Cecile Houry is the chair of the Miami-Dade County Domestic Violence Oversight Board and the grants manager for the Miami Beach Police Department.