Resolution Proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

WHEREAS, Home should be a place of warmth, unconditional love, tranquility, and security, and for most of us, home and family can indeed be counted among our greatest blessings. Tragically, for many Americans, these are blessings that are tarnished by violence and fear; and

WHEREAS, Every 9 seconds a woman in the United States is assaulted by an intimate partner; and

WHEREAS, An average of 3 women are murdered by intimate partners in the United States every day and a person experiencing strangulation in a relationship is 7 times more likely to be murdered by their partner and, according to the American Psychological Association, the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%; and

WHEREAS, According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Data Brief, Intimate Partner Violence, February 2003, women accounted for 85% of the victims of intimate partner violence, men for approximately 15%; and

WHEREAS, Women are not the only targets; men, children, the elderly, family pets and responding law enforcement officers are counted among the victims and,

WHEREAS, According to a study by Break the Silence, 2006, witnessing violence is the strongest risk factor in transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, approximately 23% of LGBTQ men and 50% of LGBTQ women experience abuse at the hands of their intimate partners; and

WHEREAS, Domestic Violence costs an estimated $8.3 billion annually in medical care, mental health services, and lost productivity on the job. Women, men and children living with domestic violence suffer higher rates of physical injuries, chronic health problems, depression, PTSD, attempted suicide, substance abuse, behavior problems for children, and homelessness. In an effort to end domestic violence and provide safety to victims, the Bay Area Women's Center offers free-of-charge services to victims and their families through emergency shelter, a 24 hour crisis-line, counseling, support groups, and advocacy; and

WHEREAS, The theme of Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2017 is "A Community in Solidarity: Rising from the ashes of domestic violence"; Therefore, Be It

RESOLVED That the Bay County Board of Commissioners, along with the Bay County Executive, proclaim the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Bay County and urge our citizens to observe this month by becoming aware of the tragedy of domestic violence, supporting those who are working toward its end and participating in community efforts.