In 2024, Connecticut lost 19 people to domestic violence, including four children, according to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The ceremony featured t-shirts that lined the pier all with their own message to people experiencing domestic violence. Local police officers from New Haven and nearby cities were also presented certificates of recognition for their work in helping to combat domestic violence in their community. “It feels good,” Dahiana Vargas, who is a survivor of domestic violence, said. While October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, advocates say the work doesn’t end there.