Domestic Violence Awareness Month

WHEREAS, in October 1989, the United States Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and,

WHEREAS, domestic violence affects all people regardless of age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, race, religion, gender, or nationality; and,

WHEREAS, approximately one in four women and one in ten men have experienced intimate partner violence in the United States, including physical injury, psychological trauma, economic abuse, and even death; and,

WHEREAS, in the United States, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually; and,

WHEREAS, from 2016 through 2018, the number of intimate partner violence victimizations in the United States increased by 42%, and on a typical day, domestic violence hotlines, nationwide, receive over 19,000 calls; and,

WHEREAS, intimate partner violence is most common against women between the ages of 18 through 24; and,

WHEREAS, while murders in domestic violence situations in New Jersey are down according to the New Jersey State Police, there is an increase in reports, arrests, assaults, harassment, children involved or present, as well as alcohol and/or drugs being involved year over year; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED I, (GOVERNING BODY), that the Month of October in the year 2023 be known as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the (GOVERNING BODY). Accordingly, I encourage our citizens to join in participating in Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities.