PROCLAMATION
Domestic Violence Awareness Month October 2024
WHEREAS, NEWS, Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services is commemorating 43 years of service to survivors of domestic violence in Napa County, having opened the first confidential safe house on October 5th 1981 and began providing safety to those escaping abuse; and WHEREAS, every year since 1989, the United States Congress has proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, renewing our Country’s commitment to standing against domestic violence and meeting the needs of survivors; and
WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is about raising awareness and uplifting the needs, voices and experiences of survivors. This year’s national campaign of “Heal, Hold & Center” calls on us to ponder how our community is helping to heal, hold space for, and center the voices of marginalized survivors; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence is a public health concern that impacts the well-being and success of individual community members, as well as the community as a whole. Data from the U.S. Center of Disease Control’s 2022 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NIPSVS) show that nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the U.S. report experiencing severe physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime while nearly half of U.S. adults have experienced psychological aggression such as humiliating or controlling behaviors from their partner. Domestic violence can cause severe physical and emotional distress for survivors who are more likely to become suicidal and lose economic opportunities from the abuse. Children who witness abuse are likely to experience abuse themselves and are often used to control other family members which can have lifelong impacts on their mental health. Aside from the obvious physical and emotional trauma inflicted, domestic violence contributes to over 10% of all intentional violent deaths (not including suicide) and costs America over 8 billion dollars a year; and WHEREAS, by observing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month we show that our community is committed to supporting survivors and working toward the prevention of domestic violence among future generations; and
WHEREAS, in Fiscal Year 2023/2024 NEWS provided services to over 1,700 of our Napa County community members, including 24-hour response, assistance with protective orders, safety and shelter, permanent housing, financial aid, support groups and children’s services, for issues related to violence in the home; and
WHEREAS, in Fiscal Year 2023/2024, NEWS served six clients from the Town of Yountville, including children. The NEWS Help Line received 20 calls for assistance from Yountville residents. Clients from Yountville received emergency assistance and crisis intervention services; court advocacy and accompaniment, including help preparing and filing restraining orders; and support from our Kids Exposed to Domestic Violence (KEDS) program; and
NOW, THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, that I, Margie Mohler, Mayor of the Town of Yountville, along with the Town Council, does hereby proclaim October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Napa County and encourage all residents of Yountville to honor domestic violence survivors and those who serve them during this month and throughout the year.
Margie Mohler, Mayor
Dated: October 1, 2024