Skip to main content
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County Virginia
Fairfax County Virginia

FFX Global Navigation

    • Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Homepage
    • October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
    • ADAPT: Anger & Domestic Abuse Prevention & Treatment Program
    • Awareness About Domestic and Sexual Violence
    • About DSVS
    • DSVS - Community Engagement Toolkit
    • Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC)
    • Advocacy Services
    • Clinical Services
      • Anger & Domestic Abuse Prevention & Treatment Program (ADAPT)
      • Counseling Services
    • Commission for Women
    • Council to End Domestic Violence
    • Domestic Violence
    • Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline
    • Outreach and Education Services
    • Resilient Kids, Thriving Families
    • Sexual Violence
      • Sexual Violence
      • Emotional Support
      • Hospital Accompaniment
      • Secondary Survivors
      • Sexual Harassment
      • Title IX
      • Triggers
    • Shelter Options
    • Step Up 4 Kids
      • Step Up 4 Kids (SU4K)
      • SU4K - Community Engagement Toolkit
    • Teen Dating Violence
    • Volunteer Voices Newsletter
    • Ways You Can Help
      • Ways You Can Help - Donate
      • Ways You Can Help - Volunteer
    • January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
    • January is Stalking Awareness Month
    • February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
    • April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
  • Residents
    • Animals & Pets
      • Adoptions
      • Animal Control & Regulations
      • Guide to Dogs
      • Lost & Found Pets
      • Shelter Support & Supplies
      • Wildlife
      • More
      Courts & Legal
      • Case Information
      • Circuit Court Docket
      • Jury Duty
      • Land Records
      • Magistrate
      • Public Law Library
      • Self-Help Resources
      • Traffic Court
      • Vital Records
      • More
      Environment & Energy
      • Invasive Species
      • Litter
      • Recycle, Trash & Compost
      • Sustain Fairfax
      • Trees
      • Watersheds
      • More
      Health & Human Services
      • Basic Needs & Assistance
      • Disability Services
      • Diseases & Conditions
      • Domestic & Sexual Violence
      • Health Clinics
      • Mental Health
      • Opioids
      • More
      Individuals & Families
      • Children & Youth
      • Federal Workforce
      • Immigrants
      • Military & Veterans
      • New Residents
      • Older Adults
      • Parents
      • People with Disabilities
      • Volunteers
      • More
      Land Use & Planning
      • Comprehensive Plan
      • County Capital Projects
      • Data Centers
      • Land Records
      • Parks Planning
      • Planning Projects
      • Research Tools
      • Transportation Projects
      • Urban Centers
      • More
      Library & Education
      • Adult Education
      • Early Childhood Programs
      • Library Branches
      • Library Catalog Search
      • Public Schools
      • More
      Parks & Recreation
      • Arts
      • Athletic Fields
      • Camps
      • Community Centers
      • Parktakes Classes
      • Rec Centers
      • Senior Centers
      • Teen Centers
      • Trails
      • More
      Permits & Licenses
      • Birth & Death Certificates
      • Building
      • Child Care
      • Dogs
      • Health
      • Marriage
      • Park Use
      • Solicitors
      • More
      Property & Housing
      • Affordable Housing
      • Code & Zoning
      • Neighborhoods
      • Real Estate Values
      • Recycling & Trash
      • Tenant Landlord Issues
      • Utilities
      • More
      Public Safety & Emergencies
      • 9-1-1
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Fire & Rescue
      • Gun Violence Prevention
      • Police
      • Scams
      • Sheriff
      • Storm Center
      • More
      Roads & Commuting
      • Bike & Walk
      • Connector Bus
      • Metrobus & Metrorail
      • Park & Ride
      • Pedestrian Safety
      • Road Maintenance/VDOT
      • Street Parking
      • Toll Roads
      • Transportation Projects
      • More
      Taxes & Fees
      • Car Taxes
      • Park Fees
      • Real Estate Taxes
      • Tax Relief
      • Trash Disposal Fees
      • More
      Voting & Elections
      • Absentee Voting
      • Early Voting
      • Election Results
      • Polling Places
      • Voter Registration
      • More
      Weather & Climate
      • Air Quality
      • Climate Action Dashboard
      • Extreme Heat
      • Floods
      • Ready Fairfax
      • Resilient Fairfax
      • Snow
      • Tornadoes
      • More
  • Business
    • Business & Construction
      • Building Permits
      • Code & Zoning
      • Land Use
      • More
      Business Services
      • Business Emergency Preparedness
      • Business Taxes
      • Consumer Services
      • Employer Transportation Service
      • Green Business Partners Program
      • Home-Based Business
      • Regulation & Licensing
      • Small Business
      • Starting a Business
      • Workplace Issues
      • More
      Doing Business with Fairfax
      • Contracting and Procurement
      • Current Solicitations
      • Permits
      • Vendor Pitch Portal
      • More
  • Government
    • About
      • Codes & Standards
      • Countywide Strategic Plan
      • Facilities & Locations
      • History of Fairfax County
      • Operating Status
      • More
      Board of Supervisors
      • Auditor
      • Board Members
      • Boards, Authorities & Commissions
      • Clerk Services
      • Committees
      • Meetings & Agendas
      • More
      Budget & Finance
      • Bonds
      • Budget
      • Financial Transparency
      • Unclaimed Money
      • More
      Departments & Agencies
      Jobs & Employment
      • Full-Time Openings
      • Internships
      • Seasonal & Non-Merit
      Maps & Data
      • Countywide Data Analytics
      • Demographics
      • Geographic Information Systems
      • Interactive Data Tools
      • More
      One Fairfax
      • Digital Equity
      • Inclusive Engagement
      • Trust Policy
  • Fairfax County Virginia
  • Services
    • Find
      • Animal Services
      • Health Clinics
      • Jobs
      • Library Resources
      • Lost or Found Pet
      • Mental Health Support
      • Park Classes
      • Real Estate Values
      • Recycling & Trash
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • More
      Pay
      • Business Taxes
      • Car Taxes
      • Dog Licenses
      • Driving & Parking Fines
      • False Alarm Fees
      • Real Estate/Property Taxes
      • SACC Payments
      • More
      Register/Apply
      • Basic Needs & Assistance
      • Building Inspections
      • Car Registration
      • Fairfax Alerts
      • Permits & Licenses
      • Tax Relief
      • Vote
      • More
      Report
      • Animal Control Issues
      • Consumer Complaints
      • Crime
      • Domestic Violence
      • Financial Crimes
      • Neighborhood Complaints
      • Road Issues to VDOT
      • Street Light Outages
      • More
  • Connect
    • Alerts, Emails & Apps
      • Email Subscriptions
      • Fairfax Alerts
      • Mobile App
      • More
      Community Engagement
      • Surveys & Projects
      Contact
      • Directory
      • Hotlines & Emergency Numbers
      • VDOT
      • VFOIA Requests
      • More
      News & Events
      • Daily Headlines
      • Emergency Information Blog
      • Events Calendar
      • NewsCenter
      • NotiCentro (Spanish)
      • Public Meetings Calendar
      • More
      Social Media
      • Comments Policy
      • Directory of Accounts
      • More
      TV, Video & Podcasts
      • Channel 16
      • Podcasts & Radio
      • YouTube
      • More
  • TRANSLATE
    • Language Selection

      To change the language of this website, click the drop-down list and select the desired language. The Fairfax County Web site is being translated through "machine translation" powered by Google Translate. Disclaimer

Department of Family Services – Domestic and Sexual Violence Services

  1. Home
  2. Family Services
  3. Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
  4. October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Department of Family Services Alert:

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
703-324-5730 TTY 711
DFSDSVS@fairfaxcounty.gov
12011 Government Center Parkway, Pennino Building, Floor 7, Suite 740
Fairfax, VA 22035
Keesha Coke
Director

Department Resources

  • Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Homepage
  • October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
  • ADAPT: Anger & Domestic Abuse Prevention & Treatment Program
  • Awareness About Domestic and Sexual Violence
  • About DSVS
  • DSVS - Community Engagement Toolkit
  • Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC)
  • Advocacy Services
  • Clinical Services
    • Anger & Domestic Abuse Prevention & Treatment Program (ADAPT)
    • Counseling Services
  • Commission for Women
  • Council to End Domestic Violence
  • Domestic Violence
  • Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline
  • Outreach and Education Services
  • Resilient Kids, Thriving Families
  • Sexual Violence
    • Sexual Violence
    • Emotional Support
    • Hospital Accompaniment
    • Secondary Survivors
    • Sexual Harassment
    • Title IX
    • Triggers
  • Shelter Options
  • Step Up 4 Kids
    • Step Up 4 Kids (SU4K)
    • SU4K - Community Engagement Toolkit
  • Teen Dating Violence
  • Volunteer Voices Newsletter
  • Ways You Can Help
    • Ways You Can Help - Donate
    • Ways You Can Help - Volunteer
  • January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
  • January is Stalking Awareness Month
  • February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
  • April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Related Resources

  • Community Corner
  • Family Services
  • Health and Human Services
  • facebook

October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Translate this page into a different language.
Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 703-360-7273; TTY 711
exit website button circle

  SAFETY ALERT – If you are in danger, call or text 911.



Domestic violence is a family, community and public health issue with widespread ripple effects that impact all parts of our community. It will take all of us to build a peaceful and safe Fairfax County.

Did you know?

  • 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 9 men will experience sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner during their lives.
  • More than 43 million women and 38 million men will experience psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
  • More than 5 people, mostly women, lose their life to domestic violence every day.

Research also shows survivors of domestic violence have significantly higher rates of long-term health problems, including diabetes, frequent headaches, chronic pain, difficulty sleeping, asthma, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

We can prevent domestic violence across our community by addressing the root causes of the problem. We can eliminate attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, environments and policies that contribute to domestic violence and promote strategies that stop it. Together, we can reduce our acceptance and tolerance of violence, and reject norms, practices and policies that place girls and women at increased risk. We can confront gender and racial injustices.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Learn about county activities and resources honoring the month and check out our community engagement toolkit for ways you can share the message!


Saturday, Oct. 3: Annual K-9 Krawl

Public Safety Headquarters
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035 
9-11 a.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.)

Lace up your sneakers and bring your four-legged family for this unique opportunity for dog lovers to come together to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month and bring awareness to the connection between domestic violence and animal cruelty. Registration suggested.


Sunday, Oct. 11: National Coming Out Day

Department of Family Services logoNational Coming Out Day is dedicated to honoring the bravery of LGBTQIA+ individuals who decide to come out and live openly. Coming out is often the first step toward living authentically. Take time to support and help those in your life who have chosen to come out, and check the Human Rights Campaign's Coming Out Resources Center for information about living openly.


Tuesday, Oct. 13: Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation

Government Center Board Auditorium
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
9:30 a.m.

The Board of Supervisors will proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month! The Fairfax County Commission for Women will accept the Proclamation.


Wednesdays, Oct. 14-28: Stalking Training Series

Join Domestic and Sexual Violence Services and the Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center for a three-session webinar series on stalking and sexual and domestic violence. Participants will learn how to identify stalking behaviors and dynamics, assess danger in stalking cases, and apply strategies for enhancing victim safety. This training series (virtual, Wednesdays, October 14-28, 1-3 p.m.) is free but registration is required.


Friday, Oct. 16: Domestic and Sexual Violence Community Annual Meeting

Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
8:30-11:30 a.m.

Join the Council to End Domestic Violence, the Domestic Violence Network, the Sexual Assault Response Team, and the Fairfax County interpersonal violence community as they celebrate the milestones met over the past year and recommit to continuing the work until everyone is safe. Featured events include a networking breakfast, an art project, and the domestic and sexual violence Community Awards.


Thursday, Oct. 22: Purple Thursday!

Turn Fairfax County purple to support survivors of domestic violence on Purple Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. Wear purple, take selfies, and tag the Department of Family Services on Facebook. Send photos to Abby Picard.


Listen to Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ Podcast

Unscripted

Give a listen to these domestic violence related episodes of Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence:

  • Education and Outreach Specialist Abby Picard and Advocacy Services Supervisor Ayaan Ali challenge common domestic violence myths.
  • Domestic and Sexual Violence Services senior victim advocate Vanessa Cullers; Stephanie Sauer, a partner and family law chair at The Geller Law Group; and Allison Mazzei, a senior associate also at The Geller Group, talk about safety planning during divorce strategies.
  • Domestic and Sexual Violence Services ADAPT Counselor Jennifer Perkins and Mary Wall, Adult Protective Services Supervisor in the Adult & Aging Division, talk about what Rob and Michelle Reiner’s murders teach us about family violence and homicide.
  • Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ Prevention and Education coordinator Abby Picard and Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselor Lorena Hunter talk about the role of control in domestic violence.
  • ADAPT Supervisor Jennifer Perkins and domestic and sexual violence counselor Lisa Groat explain why someone stays in a violent relationship and why we should never ask someone why they don’t leave.
  • Crisis Response Services Program Manager Andrea Nunes-Gardner and Counseling Supervisor Kathryn Harlow discuss how domestic violence impacts a survivor’s mental health.
  • ADAPT Supervisor Jennifer Perkins and Victims Services Specialist Kacey Kirland chat about the challenges of recognizing and responding to domestic violence.
  • Brittany Vera, child witness to domestic violence coordinator, and Counseling Services Supervisor Kathryn Harlow discuss the ways violence can impact a child’s development.
  • Vanessa Cullers, senior victim advocate on Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ Advocacy team, and Artemis House’s Elisabeth Tropea discuss the connection between domestic violence, housing, and homelessness.

DVAM Media List

Learn more about domestic violence by checking out the books and movies on this Domestic and Sexual Violence Services staff- and Fairfax County Public Library-curated media list.

Back to top

Recent Interactions

    Ask Fairfax

    Terms & Conditions
    Live chat available Search our site

    Related Resources

    • Community Corner
    • Family Services
    • Health and Human Services
    • facebook
    • Translate
    • Awards
    • Site Feedback
    • PRIVACY POLICY & COPYRIGHT
    Main Address

    12000 Government Center Pkwy
    Fairfax, VA 22035

    Phone

    703-324-7329

    TTY 711

    Site Tools
    • Website Accessibility
    • Translate
    • Download Mobile App
    Support
    • ADA Accessibility
    • FOIA Requests
    • Website Administrator
    Additional Resources
    • Fairfax County Public Schools
    • Economic Development Authority
    • Visit Fairfax
    • Council of Governments
    • Commonwealth of Virginia
    • USA.gov
    • Calendar
    • Channel 16
    • Mail
    • Security
    • WIFI
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Mobile

    The Official Site of Fairfax County