October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A community walk will take place in West Philadelphia to bring attention to the issue and provide resources to community members who need help. The Walk for Domestic Violence Awareness is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. It will start at New Birthing Worship Center, 5949 Spruce St., and end at Malcolm X Park, 52nd and Pine streets. State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown will co-host and participate in the walk.

“Far too often do we see on the news about victims being attacked by their spouse and even killed,” Brown said in a statement. “Enough is enough, and I’m calling on the community to join me in rising above these hateful acts of violence.” 

According to the National Coalition against Domestic Violence, 17.3 percent of students have been physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year in Philadelphia, which is almost twice the national average. “The statistics are startling,” Brown said. “More frightening, though, are the number of victims who don’t come forward out of fear. I am using this event to give them a voice.”

State-related information also will be on hand regarding services available for domestic-violence victims.

“It’s important to remember that there is help out there,” Brown said.