Breaking the Cycle of Violence Summit 2026

The second annual Breaking the Cycle of Violence Summit will explore the connection between culture, media, and violence. Beyond the Algorithm: Media, Culture, and the Path to Ending Intimate Partner Violence The 2026 Breaking the Cycle of Violence Summit serves as the Toledo community’s official kickoff to Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The summit brings together a diverse group of professionals along with survivors, youth, community leaders, and residents committed to preventing gender-based violence and creating safer communities. The goal is to provide training, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and equip participants with strategies to prevent teen dating violence, domestic violence, and other forms of gender-based violence. Our work will remain grounded in the experiences and voices of women and survivors and the unwavering belief that violence is preventable, healthy relationships can be cultivated, and every person deserves to live free from abuse. What's Different This Year This year's summit intentionally moves the conversation further upstream—from primarily responding to violence to understanding and preventing the conditions that contribute to intimate partner violence. We will examine how: • Music and popular culture • Social media and digital platforms • Influencers and online communities • News and media • Cultural messages about gender and masculinity • Representations of relationships, power, control, conflict, and identity can influence beliefs and behaviors surrounding intimate partner violence. Because the summit launches Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the program will remain grounded in the experiences and voices of women and survivors.