Lisa Gardner, City Council Director of Communications and Community Engagement, No Phone Number Available
Friday, October 16, 2026 at 11:27 a.m.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and The Spokane City Council is committed to a city where everyone can live free from violence and fear. For many people in Spokane, domestic violence is unfortunately part of daily life. It happens in our neighborhoods and communities, often out of sight, and sometimes right before us, unidentified. It includes bullying, intimidation, emotional abuse, and severe physical abuse. This month, the Spokane City Council asks every resident to learn the facts, recognize the signs, and help build a community where survivors are believed, supported, and, most importantly, safe.
According to the Spokane Regional Health District, several risk factors can increase the likelihood of abusive behavior in relationships, especially among youth. Risk factors for domestic violence include access to weapons, youth physical and verbal abuse, witness to abuse and high adverse childhood experiences (ACES).
Leaving an abusive relationship inevitably means leaving home, and for many survivors, access to safe shelter can be the critical factor that separates continued abuse from the opportunity to start anew.
In 2025, YWCA Spokane provided 13,273 safe nights for survivors, each night symbolizing a courageous choice for safety, often made alongside children.
Housing instability is closely linked to abuse. According to Women Helping Women, one in three women and half of young women ages 18-34 have experienced at least one housing instability in the past five years while experiencing domestic violence. These local statistics highlight a dire reality, with rates even higher across the region and state. The lack of affordable housing and robust support services plays a significant role in preventing survivors from leaving their abusers, underscoring the urgent need for action and change.
Learn the signs: abuse isn’t only physical; it can include controlling behavior, isolation from friends and family, financial control, and emotional manipulation. Be aware of these signs.
Believe survivors: if someone confides in you, listen without judgment, reassure them that it’s not their fault, and thank them for trusting you. Sometimes speaking up can be immediately dangerous.
Share resources: you don’t have to be an expert. Knowing where to direct someone can save a life.
Support local organizations: donate, volunteer, or attend events hosted by organizations such as YWCA and other partners working with survivors.
Help is a phone call away:
If you or someone you know is experiencing any form of domestic violence, help is available.
This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let's move from awareness to action. Every conversation, act of support, and shared resource help break the silence.
In Spokane
We All Belong
