KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44) – The fight against domestic violence takes center stage in Central Texas next month as the Killeen Police Department hosts the 5th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk. The free community event steps off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Lions Club Park on Stan Schlueter Loop. Organizers encourage participants to wear purple, the color long tied to courage, survival, and solidarity with victims.
The walk is part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, observed every October since Congress formally recognized it in 1989. While the event carries a festive feel with music, giveaways, and community partners, its purpose is serious: to shine a light on a crime that remains pervasive both nationally and locally.
According to the Texas Council on Family Violence, 205 Texans were killed by an intimate partner or stalker in 2023. That number includes 179 women and 26 men. With a state population of about 30 million, the rate works out to roughly 0.68 deaths per 100,000 people. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the intimate partner homicide rate is closer to 0.95 per 100,000.
Bell County’s numbers show the impact closer to home. According to a domestic violence overview released by the City of Killeen in 2023, the Killeen Police Department’s Victim Services unit assisted with roughly 900 domestic violence cases that year. In addition, Bell County issued nearly 300 protective orders. With a county population just under 400,000, that translates to more than 225 case assists for every 100,000 residents.
Advocates caution those numbers only scratch the surface, since many survivors never call police or seek services. Statewide, programs report that thousands of Texans access family violence services each day, but demand still outpaces supply, particularly for shelter beds and long-term housing.
That is why community events like Killeen’s walk matter, according to victim services staff. They remind survivors they are not alone, encourage conversations in neighborhoods where abuse is often hidden, and push for more resources.
For Killeen police, the event is about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the community to acknowledge the reality of domestic violence and to show survivors there is help. The walk will cover a short one-mile route lined with educational stops. Free swag, live music, and booths from community partners will add to the atmosphere, but the heart of the event remains awareness and solidarity.
The walk is open to anyone. Participants are urged to bring friends, family, or coworkers to help grow the circle of support. For more information, contact Kimberly Isett at (254) 501-7698 or click here for more information.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT – FOX 44.