Find Posts By Topic

Mayor Harrell and City Council Proclaim October 2025 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Seattle”

Seattle—This week, Mayor Bruce Harrell and the Seattle City Council proclaimed October 2025 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Seattle,” and today, the Mayor’s office and City employees participated in “Purple Thursday” by wearing the color purple to raise awareness and honor survivors of domestic violence.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month, first established in 1987, is held annually in October to raise awareness about domestic violence, show support for victims and survivors, and amplify resources to make Seattle a place where domestic violence does not exist.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time to honor victims and survivors, raise awareness about available resources, and reflect on the steps we as a community need to take to stop this traumatic and violent behavior,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “The City’s significant investment in culturally competent community partners is reducing stigma and barriers to services for survivors through compassionate care. But it takes all of us working together to ensure we remain steadfast towards ending domestic violence in Seattle once and for all.”

“You can judge a society by how they treat their women and children through laws, policies and protections,” said Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5). “I’m proud that our city officially recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and supports dedicated organizations such as The Seattle Women’s Commission and Seattle Indian Health Board. Together, we honor victims who have survived, mourn lives lost, and celebrate the work of advocates committed to ending cycles of domestic violence and gender-based violence.”

Using a trauma-informed approach to service delivery, the City of Seattle invests $15 million annually in community-based services, shelters, legal remedies, and survivor supports. This work is done in partnership with more than 30 organizations, providing over 7,500 services to survivors and their families each year.

HSD Staff wear purple for "Purple Thursday"

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a reminder and a call to action,” said Tanya Kim, Director of the Human Services Department. “Survivors deserve safety, dignity, and a clear path to healing. Everyone has a role: wear purple, check on friends and neighbors, and help connect people to services.”

On a typical day in 2024, domestic violence hotlines in Washington State received 727 contacts, averaging more than 30 contacts per hour, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence. In 2024, 45 people were victims of domestic violence homicide across the state as tracked by the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Along with providing supportive resources for victims and survivors, the City also works to create a fair, healthy economy where worker’s rights are protected. Implemented in 2012 as one of the first laws of its kind in Seattle, the Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance has provided workers affected by domestic violence with support to access resources for themselves, a family member, or a household member by requiring employers to provide employees with paid leave for absences related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. In 2023 Seattle became the first jurisdiction in the country to expand these worker protections to provide benefits to app-based workers on a permanent basis. 

“Seattle has led the nation in a host of worker protections and the PSST Ordinance continues to improve the lives of Seattle workers who have been impacted by domestic violence. PSST helps reduce the stigma and allows individuals to prioritize the safety of themselves and loved ones during a difficult time,” said Steven Marchese, Director of the Office of Labor Standards (OLS). “Under the law, workers experiencing domestic violence can take time off to seek medical, legal, and housing support without risking lost income. Through numerous education and outreach methods, OLS staff ensure workers know their rights and businesses follow this law.” 

Seattle Women's Commission and Councilmember Debora Juarez with the proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

New this year, the Seattle Women’s Commission brought forward an additional Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation specifically highlighting the impact of gender-based violence on immigrant and refugee communities, including women, LGBTQ+, and gender-diverse survivors in Seattle.

“Domestic violence disproportionately affects immigrant communities, specially those displaced by war, violence or from patriarchal societies,” said Naseem Ghazanfari, a Seattle Women’s Commissioner and an immigrant woman herself. “We need to be clear: violence is not a “culture”, but a result of systems that teach domination instead of equality. By recognizing this burden, we tell the victims that they are not alone. That we see them, we hear them, and we admire their resilience. That the City stands with them.”

On Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Seattle Women’s Commission and HSD’s Mayor’s Office on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence will host an event to honor survivors, providers and advocates who cultivate hope and healing. This event is open to the public and will take place in the Bertha Knight Landes Room at City Hall. Please register to attend.  

If you or someone you know needs free, confidential assistance, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) or call the 24/7 DVHopeline at (877) 737-0242.