CC 2020-10-13_06c Proclamation_Domestic Violence Awareness MonthItem 6.c. - Page 1
OF
HONORARY PROCLAMATION DECLARING
OCTOBER 2020 AS
"DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH"
WHEREAS, domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is a systematic pattern of
abusive behavior to gain power and control through use of physical violence, sexual violence,
threats, and/or emotional abuse used by one intimate partner against another; and
WHEREAS, an average of 20 people per minute are physically abused by intimate partners in the
United States which equates for 10 million abuse victims annually; and
WHEREAS, approximately 40% of California women experience physical intimate partner violence in
their lifetime while 1 in 3 female murder victims in the United States are killed by intimate partners;
and
WHEREAS, children exposed to intimate partner violence in the home experience long-term
consequences such as difficulty in school, substance abuse, and serious adult health problems; and
WHEREAS, Stand Strong provided a variety of prevention and direct services to intimate partner
violence victims last year, including assisting over 939 clients, providing 3,175 nights of shelter to
clients, and responding to 527 crisis calls; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the survivors and victims of intimate partner violence embody incredible
strength and resilience to overcome trauma and abuse to build lives free of violence; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Caren Ray Russom, Mayor of the City of Arroyo Grande,
do hereby declare October 2020 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" and urge all citizens to
observe this month by becoming aware of the tragedy of intimate partner violence, by supporting
those who are working toward its end, and by participating in community awareness efforts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
Seal of the City of Arroyo Grande to be affixed this 13th day of October 2020.
CAREN RAY RUSSOM, MAYOR
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