October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Fairfax County Police Department is marking it by recognizing survivors, raising awareness, supporting victims, and calling on the community to promote safety, prevention, and accountability.
Domestic violence can affect every part of a person's life, including physical and emotional safety, relationships, finances, home, and daily routines, the department said. Responding to these cases takes more than an investigation — it takes compassion, coordination, and a commitment to making sure victims have the support they need.
The department said domestic violence does not always look the way people expect. Warning signs can include controlling who someone sees or where they go, isolating them from friends and family, constantly checking their phone or whereabouts, controlling access to money, making threats, using intimidation, stalking, or engaging in physical or sexual violence.
As part of the Major Crimes Bureau, the Domestic Violence Unit investigates family and dating violence, stalking, strangulation, violations of protective orders, and other related offenses. Detectives gather evidence, identify patterns of abuse, and work to hold offenders accountable while keeping each victim's safety at the center of the investigation, and the unit takes part in ongoing training on trauma-informed responses.
Detectives work alongside Victim Services, prosecutors, and community partners. Victim Services Specialists provide victim-centered, trauma-informed support, help victims develop individualized safety plans, explain their options, and connect them with resources, continuing that work as victims navigate the court process and long-term concerns involving children, housing, counseling, finances, and pets.
Because abusers may threaten, harm, or neglect a pet to control or intimidate someone, including pets in a safety plan can be an important part of helping a victim move toward safety. That connection is one reason the Victim Services Division hosts the annual K9 Krawl.
The 19th Annual K9 Krawl will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters, 12099 Government Center Parkway. The free event begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by a K-9 demonstration at 8:45 a.m. and the 5K at 9 a.m., with a Best Costume Dog Contest, photo booth, raffle, vendors, and other activities.
Anyone experiencing abuse or concerned about someone at risk can call the Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline at 703-360-7273.