FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT:
Commissioner Salim Adofo
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8C
(202) 455 - 6346
  Ward 8 Community Leaders Unite to Address Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 
  WASHINGTON, D.C. - Commissioner Salim Adofo, in partnership with the National Association of Black Psychologists, @DCABPsi National Association of Black Social Workers, @abswmetrodc Domestic Violence Wears Many Tags, @ViolWearManyTag and the DC Black United Front, @DCBUF will host a community forum titled “Let's End Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault” on Monday, October 26, 2026, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the RISE Demonstration Center, located at 2730 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20032. Register: StopDV.eventbrite.com
  The forum will bring together government officials, service providers, advocates, and community residents to address domestic violence and sexual assault, increase awareness of available resources, and develop community-driven solutions to prevent violence and support survivors. Confirmed participants include: Dr. Indira Henard, @IndyDCRCC President and CEO, DC Rape Crisis Center @DCRapeCrisis Jennifer Porter, @Now_Jenn Director, DC Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants @OVSJG_DC Representatives from the Office of @CMBrookePinto , who will discuss the Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse Amendment Act ahead of the DC Council hearing scheduled for October 27, 2026.
  “Domestic violence and sexual assault must be stopped. We cannot tolerate this at all in our community,” stated Commissioner Adofo.
  Ward 8 Faces a Disproportionate Impact
  According to the DC Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, Ward 8 accounted for 10 of the District's 21 adult domestic violence-related homicides in 2024, representing nearly 48% of the citywide total. Three of these deaths were intimate partner-related, while seven involved other domestic relationships.
  Turning Community Concerns Into Action
  1. The October 26 forum will focus on three primary objectives: Connecting Residents to Resources: Educating residents about domestic violence and sexual assault prevention, victim assistance programs, emergency services, counseling, and other resources available to survivors and their families. 2. Encouraging Legislative Participation: Providing residents with information about the Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse Amendment Act and encouraging them to submit testimony, recommendations, and concerns ahead of the October 27 DC Council hearing. 3. Developing a Ward 8 Community Action Plan: Bringing residents, service providers, and community organizations together to identify prevention strategies, strengthen partnerships, and establish actionable steps to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault.   The event is open to the public. Residents, survivors, advocates, faith leaders, community organizations, and concerned stakeholders are encouraged to attend and participate. ### @EastoftheRiver @WashInformer @afronews @BlackPressUSA @WABJDC @rolandsmartin @washingtonpost @JamalSimmons @NABJ @939WKYS @NFTC_News @AnnaLysaGayle @drolarkb @wcp @nbcwashington @DonnieSimpson @fox5dc @wusa9 @wcp @afronews @WPGC @MajicDC @ecwilliams30 @51stnews @DCNewsNow @DHamburgReports @VICENews @axios @7NewsDC @CFloresNews @NNPA_BlackPress @AWainwrightTV @JMatter_TV