Proclamation
WHEREAS, October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the devastating effects of domestic violence and fostering education and prevention efforts to protect individuals and families; and WHEREAS, domestic violence is defined by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as “the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another,” affecting individuals of all races, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds; and WHEREAS, African American women experience domestic violence at a rate six times higher than the national average, facing significant barriers to seeking support due to systemic issues such as socioeconomic challenges, limited access to resources, cultural stigmas, and the vulnerability of African American men to police violence and discrimination; and WHEREAS, the Atwater Merced Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by African American women, who suffer disproportionately from domestic violence and intimate partner violence, with rates of intimate partner homicide and severe physical abuse exceeding those of their white counterparts; and WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Justice, and the Department of Defense’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), violence against women is pervasive, with 1 in 4 women experiencing severe physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime, and African American women suffering at disproportionately higher rates; and WHEREAS, domestic violence not only affects the individual, but has lasting impacts on families, communities, and future generations, creating cycles of trauma and instability that require a united effort to break; and WHEREAS, October 30, 2024, will be recognized as the Day of the Survivor for African American women, honoring the strength, resilience, and courage of those who have endured domestic violence and emerged as survivors, and serving as a call to action for continued advocacy and support for all survivors; and WHEREAS, the Atwater Merced Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of African American women and families through education, prevention, intervention, and the promotion of healing, empowerment, and justice; NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATTHEW SERRATTO, Mayor of the City of Merced, do hereby proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Merced, California, and designate October 30, 2024, as the Day of the Survivor for African American women. We encourage all residents to participate in open dialogue, support local resources, and advocate for policies that protect and empower survivors, particularly African American women, who are disproportionately affected by domestic violence. Let us stand together to break the silence, end the stigma, and support those affected by domestic violence, striving for a future where all women are safe, respected, and empowered.
Signed this 21st day of October 2024.
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Matthew Serratto, Mayor of Merced