Today, Governor Josh Stein declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month to help draw attention to the millions of victims and survivors of domestic abuse each year.
“North Carolinians must feel safe every day wherever they are, including inside their homes,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Domestic violence is a horrific crime that inflicts both physical and psychological harm on victims. We need to support survivors so that everyone is safe and lives free from fear and abuse.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. This equates to more than 12 million people over the course of a single year.
On Thursday, October 15, North Carolinians are encouraged to help spread awareness by wearing purple and posting images using #WearPurpleDay. Purple is the nationally recognized color of domestic violence, representing courage, peace, and dedication to ending violence that often includes physical, mental, sexual, emotional, and/or financial abuse.
“Domestic violence is a serious public health issue that impacts all of us, whether directly through loved ones or personal experience or indirectly by its impact on our economy,” said NC Department of Administration Secretary Gabriel J. Esparza. “Intimate partner violence results in billions of dollars spent each year on medical, mental health, and loss of work productivity costs. It is crucial that we continue to spread awareness by educating communities on the potential warning signs of domestic abuse and where to find help.”
According to the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in 2025 at least 66 homicides in North Carolina were direct results of domestic violence, including 19 victims whose perpetrators died by suicide.
The NC Department of Administration’s Division for Women and Youth provides funding to 104 domestic violence programs in 97 North Carolina counties. These programs offer shelter, counseling, 24-hour crisis lines, transportation, and court and advocacy services. More than 60,000 adults and children received domestic violence services remotely and in person, and more than 100,000 crisis calls and chats were received from individuals seeking domestic violence assistance from those DOA-funded programs during fiscal year 2024-25.
For additional resources, including a directory of state-funded domestic violence agencies, visit the Division for Women and Youth website.
Read the Proclamation.