The month of October brings awareness to the dangers of domestic violence, but what is classified as domestic violence? What about human trafficking? 

The definitions go beyond the story of the battered woman or someone taken in a parking lot by a stranger. 

According to Michigan State Police there were 67,958 reported incidents of domestic violence in 2025. 74,000 people involved with the incidents were listed as victims, with 78 lives lost.

For the last 50 years, HAVEN, an Oakland County non-profit has supported survivors of domestic and partner violence. 

Ivette Brown is the court advocacy and prevention education director for HAVEN. Brown was also a former Auburn Hills officer and detective. 

She joined The Metro to talk more about HAVEN, Domestic Violence Awareness Month and why speaking up and leaving isn't a one step process.