Proclamation
October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Whereas, domestic violence is a serious crime that affects people of all races, ages, gender identities, socio-economic levels, religions, backgrounds, beliefs and abilities; and

Whereas, domestic violence includes physical, emotional, social, sexual, spiritual, financial and digital abuse; and can occur between family members, intimate partners and within dating relationships; and

Whereas, domestic violence is widespread and it is estimated that over 12 million Americans are affected each year, and more than one in three women and one in four men in the United States report having experienced domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault or physical assault by an intimate partner during their lifetime; and Whereas, one in fifteen children are exposed to  intimate partner violence each year, and 90 percent of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence and children that group up in violent homes are believed to be abused and neglected at a rate higher than the national average, often resulting in lifelong trauma; and

Whereas, intimate partner violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime, at least 19 percent of reported domestic violence involves the use of a weapon, and the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500 percent; and

Whereas, in 2022 the Family Justice Center in Washington County provided 8,344 services to 4,537 survivors; and

Whereas, domestic violence costs the nation over 8.3 billion dollars annually in medical expenses, police and court costs, shelters, foster care, sick leave, absenteeism, and non-productivity; and
Whereas, our law enforcement officers put their lives at risk daily responding to domestic violence incidents and the North Plains Police Department believes only a coordinated community effort will put a stop to this cycle of violence; and

Whereas, Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an excellent platform to show support for the domestic violence advocates, crisis hotline staff, victim service organizations, and law enforcement officers in our community and provides the residents of Washington County the opportunity to learn more about preventing domestic violence and show support for the numerous organizations and individuals who provide critical advocacy, resources, hope and assistance to victims;

Now, therefore I, Teri Lenahan, Mayor of North Plains, Oregon, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2023, as: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS
MONTH in North Plains Signed this 2nd day of October 2023

Teri Lenahan, Mayor