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County board proclaims October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

hands holding a purple ribbon

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners has proclaimed October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, reaffirming the county’s commitment to preventing domestic violence, supporting survivors and honoring those who’ve lost their lives.

This annual observance, recognized nationally since 1989, acknowledges the millions of people who experience domestic and intimate partner violence each year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 64 million people experience domestic violence in their lifetime. In Minnesota, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension recorded more than 19,000 domestic violence incidents in 2025, with more than one-third of those occurring in Hennepin County.

Domestic violence encompasses a range of abusive behaviors used to gain or maintain power and control. Under Minnesota law, domestic abuse includes acts of physical harm or injury, as well as the infliction of fear of imminent harm. It can occur among intimate partners, family members or individuals who share a household.

Hennepin County is committed to creating a system in which victims and survivors are empowered, supported and able to pursue justice and healing. The county advances this work through:

  • The Hennepin County Attorney's Office Domestic Abuse Service Center, offering trauma-informed advocacy, assistance with orders for protection and legal referrals.
  • The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, partnering with community organizations on outreach and working with the courts on bail and release practices.
  • The Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation, providing specialized probation supervision for intimate partner violence cases.
  • The Safe Communities department, connecting victims to resources and overseeing the No Wrong Door program for youth at risk of trafficking.
  • Hennepin County’s Safe Spaces Initiative, launched in 2022, provides discreet access points for help in county buildings.
  • Ongoing participation in the 4th Judicial District’s Domestic Fatality Review Team to improve systemic responses to domestic violence.
  • Support for the state’s new Task Force on Improving Responses to Domestic Violence Crime.

This proclamation reflects the county’s commitment to sustaining and strengthening our response to domestic violence. From direct victim services to collaborative public safety and community-based programs, Hennepin County is working every day to create a community where safety, healing and justice are accessible to all.