Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Event Hosted in Fremont

(FREMONT, Calif.) – Community members and advocates for domestic violence awareness participated in the annual Domestic Violence Awareness Candlelight Vigil on October 7 at Fremont’s Downtown Event Center. 

The event coincided with the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a federally designated month to honor survivors, mourn victims, and unite communities toward a common goal to end abuse in relationships.

The vigil was organized by the City of Fremont Human Relations Commission, with partnerships from organizations such as Narika, Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments (SAVE), Maitri Bay Area and the North American Islamic Shelter for the Abused (NISA).

The gathering began with a Walk to End Domestic Violence, ending at Fremont City Hall. Participants moved through the area outside the event center carrying signs calling for an end to domestic violence and support for survivors.

Photo Credit: Joel Martinez / Community members and volunteers walk to Fremont City Hall advocating for victims of domestic violence.

Refreshments were provided for attendees, who also learned about services and resources available to victims of domestic violence. Participating organizations highlighted culturally specific support for Muslim, South Asian and other communities across the Bay Area.

Mayor Raj Salwan attended the vigil. “I’m here to support the survivors,” said Salwan. “This month I was proud to declare October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”

“The government can’t do everything,” said Salwan. “We need nonprofits…a lot of these folks are doing God’s work, helping people that need it most.”

Pointing to the broader issue of domestic violence across demographics, Salwan added that it “affects everybody, every ethnicity, culture, gender, religion and every income.” He also emphasized the importance of raising awareness through open discussion.

The annual vigil has been a consistent local tradition that combines practical outreach and remembrance. Public gatherings like this can help encourage survivors to seek help and inform residents that support systems exist. Narika provides advocacy and support groups; SAVE provides crisis response and housing assistance. Maitri and NISA both provide services that are culturally grounded for the communities that they serve.

Photo Credit: Joel Martinez / Community members and volunteers interacting with each other at the start of the event.

Brenda Nixon, a representative of the Livermore Valley Chapter of Moms Demand Action, a nonpartisan organization that advocates for public safety measures related to gun violence, also participated in the event.

“Violence against women often includes a gun,” said Nixon. “We want to try to eliminate that kind of gun violence and all types of gun violence.”

Federal crime data provides further context on the relationship between domestic violence and firearms. An FBI Domestic Violence Special Report tracking national crime data between 2020 and 2024 found that 13.7% of such crimes involved a “firearm.”

Attendees at the annual event included longtime advocates, first-time attendees and volunteers from their respective organizations. The evening's program included an open-mic portion for personal reflection and speakers from the organizations involved in the event.

Domestic violence continues to affect families and individuals across the region. According to the FBI's Special Report, “the percentage of violent crimes involving domestic relationships slightly increased…from 25.6% in 2020 to 27.5% in 2024.” Violent crimes include aggravated assault, robbery, rape, and murder.

To lower these numbers, local organizations stress that awareness is not enough. Advocates argue that community support, access to services, and speaking openly about domestic violence are essential.

For its part, the FBI promotes inter-agency information sharing. Their report stated that “When agencies report data on violent crimes that include the victim to offender relationships, the public can gain valuable insights and law enforcement agencies can use the data to form strategies to reduce and impede similar offenses in the future.”

If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788.

To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at joel.m@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below with your thoughts.