San Francisco Rally Marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month

A gathering on the steps of San Francisco City Hall marked Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of supporting survivors, expanding access to resources and building a community where everyone can feel safe.

Organized by the San Francisco Domestic Violence Consortium in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office for Victims’ Rights and the Department on the Status of Women, the rally brought together survivors, advocates and representatives from community organizations, city departments and the Board of Supervisors. This year's theme, “Surviving to Thriving", focused on the support and resources survivors need to move beyond abuse and rebuild their lives.

Beverly Upton, executive director of the San Francisco Domestic Violence Consortium, opened the rally by recognizing the advocates and service providers who work around the clock. “It's when we get to thank all of the leaders that help us every day to answer the phone, keep the shelters open, do legal services and more from the beloved community 24 hours a day,” Upton said.

Supervisor Myrna Melgar spoke about the importance of helping survivors move beyond simply surviving and toward healing and restoration. “This year we are focusing on what it means to not just survive but what it means to thrive beyond having experienced this,” Melgar said. “The path to healing and restoration requires more of us, more of our city.”

One of the rally's most moving moments came when Jordana Cahen, a domestic violence survivor, shared her journey toward healing after escaping a severely abusive relationship. She credited a teenage girl who witnessed the abuse and called 911 with saving her life, as well as the advocates and legal professionals who helped her navigate the aftermath. Her message to others facing similar experiences centered on hope, resilience and the possibility of rebuilding a fulfilling life.

Reflecting on her recovery, Cahen told the crowd, “While I wouldn't wish my experiences on anyone, I can stand here today and tell you that my life is happier, fuller and more meaningful than I ever imagined it could be.” She added, “Healing is not always easy or linear, but it is possible.”

Cahen’s story illustrates the impact of the support systems discussed throughout the rally. Ivy Lee, director of the Mayor's Office for Victims Rights, highlighted the advocates who connect survivors with critical resources to help them navigate the legal system. She emphasized the importance of ensuring survivors have knowledgeable support as they face legal challenges. “They are the ones that are connecting them with people like Emberly Cross who toil every day to make sure that no one walks into that courtroom to fight alone,” Lee said.

A consistent message emerged: creating a community where survivors can thrive requires more than responding to individual cases of abuse. Domestic violence is a public safety issue, with consequences that reach families and communities across generations. Addressing this issue requires sustained resources, coordination among city agencies and community organizations, and ongoing prevention efforts.

“Surviving to Thriving” is a vision that extends beyond Domestic Violence Awareness Month, one in which survivors have the opportunity not only to move beyond abuse, but to heal, rebuild and create fulfilling lives on their own terms. The stories and voices shared brought that vision into focus and underscored what is possible when survivors are heard, believed and supported.