Proclamation
Whereas, October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In the United States, one in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes.
Whereas, domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. These behaviors include physical and/or emotional abuse, instilling fear to prevent a partner from doing what they wish to do, or forcing them to do things they do not want to do.
Whereas, domestic violence can happen to anyone at any point in a relationship. It affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. In many cases, traumatized children are the silent victims in homes where domestic violence occurs; and Whereas, in 2022, the Alameda Police Department (APD) responded to 206 domestic violence- related cases across the island. APD representatives are members of the City’s Domestic Violence Task Force that works with other agencies to coordinate domestic violence prevention and intervention services, to help end the cycle of domestic violence; and
Whereas, the Domestic Violence Task Force, which also includes: Alameda Hospital, The Family Violence Law Center, Alameda Family Services, Alameda Point Collaborative, the Social Service Human Relations Board, Girls Inc. of the Island City, Alameda Boys & Girls Club, and Building Futures conducts, outreach activities during Domestic Violence Awareness Month to help create a domestic violence-free community; and Whereas, while progress has been made through the efforts of courageous survivors, advocacy, and legislative action, breaking the cycle of domestic violence requires a focused and coordinated community response to help build a culture where abuse is not tolerated, and where survivors are heard, supported, and protected; and Whereas, we express our gratitude to the remarkable people and organizations that offer care and critical services to survivors of domestic violence, including Building Futures. If you are experiencing domestic violence, please call Building Futures’ 24-hour crisis line: 1-866-A-WAY-OUT or 1-866-292-9688, or visit their website, bfwc.org.
Now, therefore be it resolved, that I, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Mayor of the City of Alameda, hereby proclaim the month of October 2023 to be
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
in the City of Alameda, and encourage Alameda residents to seek help if you are experiencing domestic violence, assist victims and survivors, and support the efforts of advocates and service providers working to end domestic violence.
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft
Mayor