MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | Beyond October: The Fight Against Domestic Violence Must Never Rest

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITORIAL | Beyond October: The Fight Against Domestic Violence Must Never Rest

“Domestic violence is a crime, the commission of which will not be tolerated.” — Mayor Jerry Koch, Coon Rapids, Minnesota, October 2025 Proclamation

COON RAPIDS, MN — As October 2025 draws to a close, so too does the official observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. But the sobering truth is that the end of October cannot, and must not, mark the end of our collective commitment to ending domestic violence.

The struggle for safety, justice, and healing continues far beyond the calendar — every day, in every home, in every community.

Earlier this month, Mayor Jerry Koch of Coon Rapids signed a proclamation declaring October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, reaffirming the city’s zero-tolerance stance toward abuse and honoring organizations such as Alexandra House, Inc., which provides vital services to survivors throughout Anoka County.

Recognizing the Crisis — and the Courage

In the words of the proclamation, “The community problem of domestic violence has become a critical public health and welfare concern.”
This recognition is more than symbolic. It acknowledges that domestic violence is not confined to any one neighborhood, income level, or gender. It is a pervasive, ongoing threat — and it demands a community-wide response.

Thousands of women, men, and children in Anoka County continue to rely on shelters, advocates, and crisis counselors each year. The courage of survivors who seek help — and the compassion of those who respond — reflect a shared moral duty: to protect the vulnerable, hold offenders accountable, and dismantle the social structures that enable abuse.

“Domestic violence will be eliminated through community partnerships of concerned individuals and organizations working together to prevent abuse.”
— Excerpt from Mayor Jerry Koch’s Proclamation, September 15, 2025

Beyond the Month — The Work That Remains

While October serves as a rallying point for awareness, domestic violence is not a seasonal concern.
As the purple lights fade and the ribbons come down, survivors will still be living with trauma, fear, and uncertainty. Advocacy centers will still receive calls for help. Law enforcement will still respond to homes where safety has been shattered.

This is why awareness must evolve into action — and action must persist long after October ends.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in the United States experience severe intimate partner violence. These are not distant statistics; they represent our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and friends.

Ending domestic violence requires more than recognition. It requires education, prevention, intervention, and accountability — year-round.

Leadership Starts Local

Mayor Koch’s leadership reflects the critical role that local government can play in shaping a community’s moral and civic priorities. His proclamation reminds residents that domestic violence is not a “private issue,” but a public health crisis and public safety concern.

Through collaboration with law enforcement, social service agencies, and nonprofits, Coon Rapids reinforces a message that must resonate far beyond its borders: there is no tolerance for abuse — not in this city, not anywhere.

Keeping the Momentum Alive

As we move beyond October, Coon Rapids and communities across the nation must remain steadfast in the fight to end domestic violence.
True awareness means sustaining the conversation, strengthening resources, and supporting survivors every single day.

We must continue to:

• Support survivors — Listen, believe, and connect them with local resources like Alexandra House.
• Educate youth — Teach empathy, respect, and healthy relationship skills early.
• Train responders — Equip law enforcement and service providers with trauma-informed practices.
• Advocate for change — Demand stronger policies, funding, and accountability measures.
• Challenge cultural silence — Speak out when others can’t, and stand up when others won’t.

A Call to Keep the Light Burning

Domestic violence does not end with the end of October — and neither should our vigilance.
Every home deserves peace. Every survivor deserves justice. Every community deserves safety.

Mayor Jerry Koch’s proclamation is a reminder that leadership begins with recognition — and continues through persistent action.

Let this October serve not as an ending, but as a renewal of our shared promise: to break the cycle, to end the silence, and to stand with survivors until every woman, child, and man feels safe again.

MinneapoliMedia