Cleveland Declares October 2026 Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Cleveland City Council is working to recognize survivors and recommit the city to ending domestic violence through Emergency Resolution 1239-2026. This measure officially designates October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month to honor victims and emphasize the importance of community intervention and safety resources.
What's in the file
The resolution, introduced by Council Member Howse-Jones, serves as an official declaration by the City of Cleveland to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According to the 1239-2026 Res. FOR ADOPTION, the measure is intended to:
- Honor survivors and victims of domestic violence.
- Recommit the City of Cleveland to prevention, survivor safety, and offender accountability.
- Encourage residents to learn warning signs and connect those in danger with help.
- Direct the Clerk of Council to transmit the resolution to the Mayor, the Chief of the Division of Police, the Journey Center for Safety and Healing, and the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.
The resolution cites several statistics regarding the impact of intimate partner violence to provide rationale for the declaration:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Ohio intimate partner violence fatalities (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025) | 157 |
| Percentage increase in Ohio fatalities over the prior year | 37 percent |
| Percentage of Ohio fatal cases involving firearms | 84 percent |
| Children who lost one or both parents to domestic violence homicide in Ohio | at least 92 |
| Domestic violence fatalities reported in Cuyahoga County | 20 |
| Journey Center for Safety and Healing calls for help in Cleveland/Cuyahoga County in 2026 | 6,670 |
Advocates working during this month aim to educate residents on abusive behaviors and share resources for families at risk Signal Cleveland.
Who may be affected
- City of Cleveland Residents: Urged to learn warning signs and utilize resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
- City Departments: Including the Division of Police and the Mayor's office.
- Community Partners: The Journey Center for Safety and Healing and the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.
Status and timeline
- September 28, 2026: The resolution was prepared for passage by Council Member Howse-Jones.
- October 9, 2026: The resolution was officially introduced.
As an emergency measure, if the resolution receives an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all elected members of Council, it shall take effect and be in force immediately upon adoption and approval by the Mayor.
Residents can verify these details by reviewing the official record for Resolution No. 1239-2026 on the Cleveland City Council website.
Source record
- File
- 1239-2026
- Type
- Emergency Resolution
- Status
- Agenda Ready
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- October 8, 2026
Official documents
- 1239-2026 Res. FOR ADOPTION Howse-Jones - Resolution declaring October Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- FINAL VERSION City Record October 23, 2026 Page 103