Proclamation
WHEREAS, October is annually recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and, WHEREAS, Valley Crisis Center received 945 domestic violence calls on their crisis hotline and sheltered 89 adults and children during the period of October 2021 to September 2022; and, WHEREAS, Valley Crisis Center serves victims of intimate partner violence and their children; and, WHEREAS, a 2008 national survey found that 16% of children had been exposed to emotional intimate partner violence and 17.9% of children had been exposed to physical intimate partner violence; and, WHEREAS, children affected by domestic violence may learn unhealthy relationship behaviors, which can increase their risk of experiencing domestic violence as adults; and, WHEREAS, research shows that Adverse Childhood Experiences, such as growing up in a home with domestic violence, have long-term impacts on children’s health; and, WHEREAS, we must invest in violence prevention programs that address trauma and teach healthy relationship skills in order to stop intergenerational cycles of domestic violence; and, WHEREAS, children are resilient and can heal from their experiences with the support of caring adults and communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, matthew serratto, Mayor of the City of Merced hereby proclaim the month of October 2022 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” and encourage all community members to participate in Valley Crisis Center’s planned activities for the month of October.
Signed this 17th day of October 2022.
____________________________________
Matthew Serratto, Mayor of Merced