Events
Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2025
With Survivors, Always.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)—a time to honor survivors, raise awareness, and take action. This year’s theme, With Survivors, Always, is both a love letter and a call to action. It invites us to stand in solidarity with survivors and commit to building a safer, more supportive community.
👉View DVAM 2025 Events Calendar
Why DVAM Matters
Domestic Violence Awareness Month began as a single “Day of Unity” in 1981 and grew into a national observance by 1987. Today, DVAM is a powerful reminder of the ongoing work needed to end relationship abuse and support survivors.
Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, s a pattern of behaviors used to gain power and control over a partner or family member. It can include physical, sexual, emotional, financial, and psychological abuse. While it affects people of all backgrounds, BIPOC women are disproportionately impacted. Arlington’s commitment to race and equity drives our efforts to build systems that support all survivors.
This Year’s Theme: With Survivors, Always
Along with the National Domestic Violence Resource Center and the Domestic Violence Awareness Project, Project PEACE believes survivors deserve:
🔐Safety | Sobrevivientes merecen seguridad
Safety means more than physical protection—it includes emotional, spiritual, and financial well-being. Survivors deserve safe homes, workplaces, and communities.
🤝Support | Sobrevivientes merecen apoyo
Healing is a lifelong journey. Survivors need care and compassion at every stage, especially when new threats or trauma triggers arise.
💜Solidarity | Sobrevivientes merecen solidaridad
No one should face hardship alone. Community connection is key to advocacy. Let’s continue to show up for survivors—always.
How will you show up for survivors? What will your love letter say?
Ways to Take Action
📣Share the DVAM Events Flyer
Help spread the word about virtual and in-person events hosted by Project PEACE and our partners.
💻Explore Project PEACE's No Wrong Door Guide
Learn how to navigate Arlington’s support systems for survivors of intimate partner violence.
Community Events & Trainings
📖Domestic Violence 101: Back to Basics
Oct 1 | 2-3:00 PM | Virtual Webinar
Hosted by NRCDV, this session introduces the dynamics and impact of domestic violence. Register here.
💡Understanding IPV
Oct 7 | 9-1:00 PM | Virtual Training
Hosted by Project PEACE, come learn about the patterns of intimate partner violence and how service providers and systems can respond to break the cycle of harm including here in Arlington County. Register here.
🎉Dance Fundraiser with Doonya x Dholi Ram 2025
Oct 11 | 10-11:00 AM | The Festival Center
In honor of DVRP's 30th anniversary and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, join this dance fundraiser with Doonya x Dholi Ram for A/PI DVRP. Purchase tickets here.
🏋Fundraise, Fitness, Friends
Oct 12 | 11-12:30 PM | Alexandria Country Day School
Join Project PEACE community member, Kyle Mortenson, as she celebrates her birthday along side her best friend Sarah with a special Zumba class fundraiser in honor of Doorways. Purchase tickets here.
Oct 14 | 1-3:00 PM | The Carlin
Build quick connections and explore how healthy relationships start with respect and communication at this fun, interactive community event specifically for older adults.
💸Financial Aid 101
Oct 16 | 5:30-7:00 PM | Center for Youth and Family Advocacy
Hosted by CYFA's Youth Advisory Board, this workshop session aims to help students and families navigate paying for postsecondary education. Register here.
🌈Safe Zone LGBTQ+ 101
Oct 23 | 9-12:00 PM | Lubber Run Community Center
This interactive LGBTQ+ 101 workshop is offered to community members and providers alike who seek to learn more aobut gender identity, language, and creating affirming, inclusive spaces. Register here.
🏢Project PEACE All Members Meeting
Oct 29 | 3-4:30 PM | Lubber Run Community Center
Join us for networking, an immigrant services panel, and an opportunity to provide feedback on our Blueprint for Progress. No RSVP required.
🎃Teen Night: Halloween Edition
Oct 10 | 6–9 PM | Thomas Jefferson Community Center
Planned by teens for teens! Connect with local youth and make new friends all while enjoying games, projects, music, food, and more! Visit our table for games, info on healthy relationships, treats and maybe a couple of tricks. No RSVP required.
Awareness & Celebration
Oct 16 | All Day
📸Wear purple to show your support for survivors and spark conversations. Be sure to snap a selfie or a photo with your team and upload it here to our digital photo board.
Tag us using:
#PurpleThursday #PurpleThursdayArlington #ArlingtonDVAM2025
Oct 18 | 11 AM–2:00 PM | Carlin Springs Elementary
Visit Doorways and other community resources at this local health fair intended to serve Arlington families who have little or no access to health care. No registration required.
📜County Board DVAM Proclamation
Oct 22 | 1:00 PM | Bozman Government Center or Virtual
Join us as the Arlington County Board reads the official DVAM proclamation, honoring survivors and highlighting our community's commitment to safe and healthy relationships.
🎉Doorways’ Gala: Open Hearts, Open Doors
Oct 15 | 5:30-8:30 PM | The Falls
Support Doorways with an evening of food, drinks, and community. Purchase tickets here.
Amplify the Message
📲Share Our Social Media Posts
Follow and repost content from Project PEACE on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter during DVAM: @arlprojectpeace
📅#31 Days of DVAM
Share information online: Post facts, resources, and personal stories (with permission) on social media platforms to educate others. Check out the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) to learn more.
🚪No Wrong Door Guide
Familiarizing yourself and sharing Project PEACE's No Wrong Door created help navigate vast options for support and resources available in Arlington.
Have a few extra minutes? We'd love to hear from you! Tell us about your experience accessing services in Arlington.
Click here to access the Safe Homes, Safe Relationships Survey. (Survey available in English and Spanish/encuesta disponible en inglés y español)
Everyone deserves to be safe at home and in their relationships. When someone in our community is not safe and is being hurt by their partner, there are resources to help. Please consider taking the survey to share your experience using, looking for, or referring people to resources for those impacted by domestic/intimate partner/dating violence and sexual assault in Arlington County. While the survey works best on a computer, you may also use a mobile device.
Questions in the survey ask about your experience, or the experiences of people you know, and could bring up strong emotions. It is your choice how many, and which questions you answer. If you need support at any time, please call the Doorways Domestic and Sexual Violence hotline available 24-hours a day at 703-237-0881.
This survey was created by Project PEACE, Arlington’s Coordinated Community Response, in order to understand how Arlington community members have, or have not, accessed local support. This survey is confidential and results will be analyzed by Project PEACE and their members to enhance and improve services for everyone in the county. Questions? Call or email: 703-228-5003 or info-projectpeace@arlingtonva.us
Regional Resources
If you or someone you know has been impacted by intimate partner or sexual violence you are not alone. We are here to help.
- For Arlington resources click here.
- For Alexandria resources click here.
- For Fairfax resources click here.
- For Loudoun resources click here.
- For JCADA resources and support click here.
Topic Specific Resources
Sexual and Domestic Violence Resources
Sexual and Domestic Violence Resources
Resources for Adults Supporting Youth
The materials above are free to download and use. To request pre-printed versions please email info-projectPEACE@arlingtonva.us