Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month 2022 Proclamation

ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA
Proclamation

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH

WHEREAS, Arlington County envisions a peaceful and respectful community – where diversity is celebrated, violence is not tolerated, and where all people are empowered to build healthy and safe relationships; and

WHEREAS, domestic violence is a serious but underreported crime that affects people of all races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and income levels in our community and across the nation – where “over one in 3 women and about one in 3 men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime,” with trans and nonbinary people experiencing the same or higher rates of violence; and

WHEREAS, as a community, Arlington is dedicated to addressing the issue of domestic, dating and intimate partner violence, ensuring those who have been harmed are offered timely, equitable, and culturally responsive support services; and

WHEREAS, our networks of support services work every hour of every day, to meet the needs of those who have been harmed, assisting those who need immediate support and meeting the ongoing needs of those experiencing any form of domestic violence, directly or vicariously; and

WHEREAS, Arlington is also dedicated to ensuring that those who have caused harm in domestic, dating, and intimate partner relationships are held accountable and offered the support services they need to address their use of violence; and

WHEREAS, under the umbrella of Project PEACE, important partnerships thrive among criminal and juvenile justice agencies, healthcare providers, allied professionals, and victim advocacy services to assist victims of domestic violence and their families, to enhance our community’s response, and enhance primary prevention; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month provides an excellent opportunity for citizens to learn more about the impact of domestic violence in our community and to show support for those who provide critical education, advocacy, services and assistance to victims; and

WHEREAS, we dedicate ourselves to ensuring the safety of vulnerable members of our community,

NOW THEREFORE, I, Katie Cristol, Chair of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia, do hereby proclaim October 2022 as

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH

in Arlington County, to honor those who have lost their lives, celebrate those who survived, and encourage everyone in our community to join our efforts to end domestic violence.