City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
WHEREAS, Congress designated October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989, and the 2026 theme, “With Survivors, Always,” calls upon communities to move from awareness to action by centering survivors’ voices, needs, and experiences throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month provides an opportunity to honor the courage and resilience of survivors and recommit ourselves to creating a future in which every person can live free from fear and abuse, in which relationships are rooted in respect, and in which homes are places of safety; and WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County (DVS) provides comprehensive support to survivors throughout Santa Barbara County, including emergency shelter, a 24/7 crisis line, housing support, counseling, outreach, and prevention with the goal to help survivors move from crisis toward safety and stability; and WHEREAS, each October, DVS hosts its annual brunch, which centers survivor voices and features former DVS clients who have chosen to share their experience, advocate for themselves with others, and inspire hope among survivors throughout our community; and WHEREAS, standing "With Survivors, Always" requires sustained community investment in the services, resources, and opportunities survivors need to build safe, stable futures for themselves and their children;.
NOW, THEREFORE, I ALICE M. PATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria hereby recognize the month of October 2026 as:
“Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month”
in the City of Santa Maria and encourage all residents to stand with survivors, raise awareness, promote health and respectful relationships, and help Santa Maria be a place where all people take personal responsibility from promoting zero tolerance for domestic violence.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Santa Maria to be affixed hereto this 6th day of October 2026.
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor