October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Victim Outreach Intervention Center is partnering with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and other coalitions to start a national conversation about domestic violence.

On June 8, 2017, Ishemer Ramsey, 24, murdered his girlfriend — Butler native Melissa (Missy) Barto, 26 — following a argument.

Every year since Barto's death, VOICE has partnered with her family to host a 5K run that both honors her memory and raises awareness. The annual #GetNebby 5K inspires its participants to become aware of the realities of domestic violence.

Due to COVID-19, this year's 5K will take the course of a weeklong virtual awareness event Oct. 17 to 23. People may participate by joining the event page on VOICE's Facebook account @voicebutlerco.

Throughout October, VOICE also joins NNEDV during its “week of action,” planned for Oct. 18 to 24. The agencies will be sharing social media content using the #Every1KnowsSome1 to engage awareness.