HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 03 Proclamation re Domestic Violence Awareness Month ProclamationDomestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation
October 2018
WHEREAS, Home should be a safe and trustworthy place, but for too many Oregonians it is instead
fraught with terror due to domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, The crime of domestic violence violates an individual’s privacy and dignity, security and
humanity, due to systematic use of physical, emotional, sexual, economic, and psychological
control and abuse to children and the elderly,
WHEREAS, Domestic violence is not limited to physical or verbal abuse but includes intimate
terrorism (such as isolation, covert control, reproductive coercion, economic and sexual
exploitation) and online abuse (such as stalking, humiliation, doxing, rape and death threats) and
these forms of terror are often unrecognized by our laws and norms; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence affects not only the person being abused but also children,
neighbors, friends, family, coworkers, faith communities, and others; seeing or hearing abuse c an
be particularly terrifying for children and people with trauma histories; and children witnessing
violence is recognized as a form of abuse itself; and
WHEREAS, The triad of forced financial dependence, reproductive abuse, and familial isolation
creates monumental barriers to leaving an abusive relationship, and dangerous situations are
further exacerbated by worsening economic realities, especially the lack of truly affordable housing;
and
WHEREAS, It is survivors of violence, and the advocates who partner with them daily on safety
planning and support measures, to whom we look for guidance on raising awareness of domestic
violence, and ultimately working to build community norms of healthy relationships; and
WHEREAS, Womenspace continues to provide safety, hope and healing to domestic violence
survivors of all genders through advocacy and support and focuses on educational prevention and
has served thousands of people in Lane County for more than 40 years; and
WHEREAS: Too many Oregonians have lost their lives due to domestic violence; we remember those
women, men, and children who have died and are taking a firm stance to prevent domestic violence;
and
WHEREAS: The impact and the cost of domestic violence is wide-ranging and devastating directly
affecting individuals, children and society, in this community, throughout the United States and the
world.
NOW,
THEREFORE: I, Christine Lundberg, Mayor of the City of Springfield, herby proclaim October
2018 to be
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
in Springfield and urge all people to actively participate in the scheduled activities and programs to
work toward eradicating domestic violence, improving victim safety, and holding perpetrators of
domestic abuse accountable for their actions against individual victims and our society.
_________________________________
Christine L. Lundberg
Mayor