Walk in solidarity on April 25 at Centennial Park in Bowie to support domestic violence survivors. Wear purple and bring hygiene donations.

Join the City of Bowie Community Outreach Committee for its annual Walk to End Domestic Violence on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Centennial Park next to Bowie City Hall. This meaningful event brings residents together to raise awareness, support survivors, and stand united against domestic violence.

Program:

9:45 - 10:30am: Registration & Check In

10:30 - 11:50am: Program & Guest Speakers

12:00pm: Walk Begins

Participants are encouraged to wear purple to show solidarity. Attendees are also encouraged to donate personal hygiene and beauty products to help create “run and go” bags for individuals fleeing unsafe situations.

Accepted donations include:

• Bedding: twin sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, washcloths

• Hygiene: lotion, soap, body wash, deodorant, hair products, toothpaste, mouthwash

• Cleaning: laundry & dish detergent, bleach, trash bags, brooms, mops

For more information, contact Janae Barber at 301-938-7961 or jbarber@cityofbowie.org.

Visit https://bit.ly/bowiewalk to register to be part of this important event.

STATISTICS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS

Domestic violence remains a critical public health issue. Nearly 20 people per minute experience physical abuse by an intimate partner, and more than 10 million individuals each year are impacted. Approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience severe intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Older adults are also vulnerable, with an estimated 1 in 10 seniors experiencing abuse, often by someone they know and trust.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, highlighting the strong connection between sexual violence and domestic violence. Many survivors face both. Raising awareness strengthens prevention, supports healing, and reinforces that our community does not tolerate abuse in any form.

Individuals and groups are welcome to register. Gather your friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors and walk together in honor of survivors and in commitment to a safer community. Your presence sends a powerful message: there is power in numbers, and you are not alone.