Help Now of Osceola to Hold Events Marking October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and to mark it, Help Now of Osceola will hold several events throughout the month.

They begin Oct. 3 with the Domestic Violence Rally, Awareness Walk and Candlelight Vigil starting at the Osceola County Courthouse from 6-7:30 p.m. Local law enforcement agencies and social services agencies, county commissioners, and domestic violence survivors will be on hand speak at the event with messages from survivors and community advocates to end violence against women and children.

That will be followed by the Awareness Walk to Kissimmee Police Department headquarters for a candlelight vigil that will honor those who have lost their lives due to domestic violence, and shine a light of hope for current survivors in our community. The public is welcome, the color theme is purple.

Help Now and the Osceola Domestic Violence Task Force’s Annual Domestic Violence Conference will be Oct. 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Osceola Regional Medical Center in Classrooms A and B. The theme is Help Beyond the Hurt – Creating a Positive Culture of Care: A Trauma-Informed Approach when Working with Survivors of DV. It is a free event and lunch will be provided. For registration, visit www.helpnowshelter.org or call 407-847-3286 for more information.

Municipal buildings like Kissimmee City Hall will shine purple lights during October to help push the cause. Just like the purple lights will shine, local governments will shine a light on domestic violence prevention during the month. At their meetings, the St. Cloud City Council (Oct. 10), Osceola County Commission (14th) and City of Kissimmee (15th) will make Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamations.