Survivors as Experts, Communities as Allies!

📅 Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Doors open at 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Ken Thurston Inverrary Community Center
3300 Inverrary Blvd., Lauderhill, FL 33313

The 4th Annual “Break the Silence, End Domestic Violence” Symposium is more than an awareness event. It is a learning environment, a community conversation, and a call to action.

This year’s theme, “Survivors as Experts, Communities as Allies!”, intentionally shifts the narrative. For too long, survivors have been asked to share what happened to them while others were positioned as the experts tasked with explaining their experiences.

This year, we change the table.

Survivor leaders will join professionals, practitioners, advocates, and community leaders as experts, bringing lived knowledge into direct conversation with professional expertise.

We are moving beyond simply asking, “What happened?” to asking the questions that can transform communities:

What did we miss? What do we misunderstand? What needs to change? And what can each of us do differently?

Because domestic and intimate partner violence does not exist in isolation. Its impact reaches families, schools, workplaces, congregations, healthcare systems, law enforcement, and entire communities.

And while awareness matters, awareness without action is anesthesia.

This symposium is designed to ensure that what is learned in the room does not stay in the room. We want attendees to leave informed, equipped, connected to resources, and prepared to become more intentional allies in action.

1. 💜 Survivors Take the Expert Seat
This year, we move beyond the story. Survivor leaders will take their place alongside multidisciplinary professionals and community leaders, bringing lived expertise to conversations about prevention, intervention, systems response, healing, and change. We are not simply asking survivors to tell us what happened. We are asking them what needs to happen next.

2. 🎙️ Expert Dialogue, Community Learning & Ally Activation
Hear from survivor leaders, advocates, behavioral-health professionals, community leaders, and other practitioners as we challenge misconceptions, examine gaps in response, and discuss what effective support actually looks like. Come prepared to listen, learn, ask questions, and leave with a charge: Because of what I learned tonight, what will I do differently?

3. 🔊 A Moment of Sound: Remembering a Young Life
This year, we will pause to honor the life of a 20-year-old young woman who volunteered at our very first Domestic Violence Symposium and whose life was recently lost to intimate partner violence. But rather than only observing a traditional moment of silence, we will invite attendees into an optional, trauma-informed Moment of Sound: a collective expression of grief, frustration, anger, hurt, love, and resolve.

Violence has taken enough silence.
This moment will honor her life while reminding us why prevention, intervention, and allyship cannot wait.

4. 👗 A Sneak Peek at What’s Coming: Fashion, Celebration & the 2027 Anniversary Soirée
Healing also makes room for life, expression, beauty, and celebration. Guests will experience a special snippet of our upcoming fashion showcase and an exclusive preview of what Unmute Yourself, Inc. is preparing for our Anniversary Soirée on May 1, 2027.

Consider this your first glimpse. October is the preview. May 1, we unveil the experience.

Registration is now open for both in-person and virtual attendance.

This is not a conversation reserved for survivors or professionals. If you have a family, lead people, teach people, employ people, serve people, worship with people, work alongside people, or simply care about the safety of your community, there is a seat at this table for you.

Tell a friend. Bring a friend. Become an ally.

1. Click the Register button on this page.
2. Select In-Person or Virtual attendance.
3. Complete your registration to receive confirmation and event details.

For questions or assistance, contact or (954) 439-8208.

Come prepared to listen differently.
Come prepared to challenge what you thought you knew.
Come prepared to learn from lived experience.
And most importantly, come prepared to do something with what you learn.

SURVIVORS AS EXPERTS.
COMMUNITIES AS ALLIES.
AWARENESS INTO ACTION.

Because awareness without action is anesthesia.

October 1. Lauderhill. Be in the room. Bring somebody with you.

#SurvivorsAsExperts #CommunitiesAsAllies #BreakTheSilence #DomesticViolenceAwareness #UnmuteYourself #SurvivorLeadership #AllyActivation #EndDomesticViolence #Lauderhill #BrowardCounty

Info: Kick off the evening with a vibrant networking session where you can mingle with fellow advocates, survivors, and community leaders. Enjoy an assortment of delectable appetizers and refreshments while exploring our informative vendor booths. This is your chance to connect, share stories, and engage with organizations committed to ending domestic violence.

Info: Join us as we officially open the symposium with a warm welcome and heartfelt introduction. Hear from our organizers and learn about the evening’s agenda and our collective mission to foster a safer community.

Info: Experience a transformative keynote speech from a distinguished expert who is not only a leading voice in domestic violence prevention but also a powerful survivor turned victor. Hear their compelling journey from victim to advocate, and gain profound insights into the impact of domestic violence and the critical strategies to combat and prevent it. Their personal story and professional expertise will inspire and empower us all to take meaningful action.

Info: Engage in an enlightening panel discussion featuring distinguished speakers and experts. Delve into the latest strategies, interventions, and support systems designed to combat domestic violence. Participate in a dynamic Q&A session to ask questions and share your thoughts.

Info: Listen to inspiring stories from survivors who have overcome immense challenges. Their powerful testimonials will highlight the importance of support, resilience, and community in the fight against domestic violence.

Info: Conclude the evening with impactful closing remarks. Reflect on the evening’s discussions and take away actionable steps to contribute to ending domestic violence. Be inspired to continue your advocacy and support efforts.

Info: Revisit our resource fair for additional networking opportunities and to discover valuable support services available in our community. Connect with local organizations, explore their resources, and learn how you can get involved.

Event venue & nearby stays

3300 Inverrary Blvd, 3300 Inverrary Boulevard, Lauderhill, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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