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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing October 2023 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Solano County (Supervisor Mashburn)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Solano County District Attorney’s Office and the Solano Family Justice Center recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing October 2023 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness month was observed. This month has since been set aside to raise public awareness about the prevalence and cost of domestic violence, the need for prevention, and the availability of services for victims of abuse. There is a need to raise public awareness and to reduce children’s exposure to violence; therefore, the District Attorney’s Office and the Solano Family Justice Center recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing October 2023 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no cost to adopt the resolution. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the departments FY2023/24 Working Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2023/24 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Somewhere in America a woman is battered, usually by her intimate partner, every 9 seconds. Domestic violence is not a private matter; it is a crime. It is one of the most common, yet least reported, crimes in the United States. It can happen to anyone, of any profession, education level, economic status, age, race, or religion. It occurs at the same rate in gay and lesbian relationships as it does in heterosexual relationships. Although not as common, violence against men by women also exists. Batterers not only hurt their partners, but their children as well. Estimates show that child abuse is 15 times more likely to occur in families where domestic violence is present. Children who witness domestic violence often grow up believing that physical cruelty in relationships is acceptable behavior, and thus they tend to perpetuate a cycle of violence in their own relationships. More than 3 million children are at risk of exposure to intimate partner violence each year.
October 2023 marks the 37th commemoration of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Agencies and organizations from across America will encourage support and understanding from all Americans and will commemorate victims of domestic violence and those who serve them.
Progress against domestic violence relies heavily on public awareness and changing community attitudes. Solano County’s network of victim service agencies work to ease the physical and emotional pain inflicted on victims of domestic violence, collaborate to raise awareness to put an end to this abusive behavior, and educate the public with which they have contact on family violence prevention strategies designed to break cycles of violence. The Solano Family Justice Center is a warm and welcoming one-stop center where multiple co-located direct-service partners provide a full range of trauma-informed services for children, youth and adults affected by domestic violence. These agencies work together to ease the physical and emotional pain inflicted on victims of domestic violence and are collaborating to raise awareness to put an end to this abusive behavior. We honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month by promoting peace in our own families, homes, and communities. Let us renew our commitment to end domestic violence - in every corner of Solano County.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors could choose to:
1. Not adopt the resolution; however, this alternative is not recommended as the resolution recognizes local efforts which are consistent with the Board’s mission; and/or
2. Proclaim another month as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; however, this alternative is not recommended since the month of October 2023 has been nationally designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Contra Costa Family Justice Alliance, the lead agency for the Solano Family Justice Center, work collaboratively with and recognize the efforts of the District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Unit, the County Administrator’s Office, Office of Family Violence Prevention, the Fairfield Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit, Fighting Back Partnership, SafeQuest Solano, Travis Air Force Base’s Family Advocacy Office, Kaiser Permanente’s Family Violence Prevention Team, the Vacaville Police Department FIRST Office, Solano Advocates for Victims of Violence (SAVV), Victims Empowerment Support Team (VEST), SANE SART, Solano County Health & Social Services, and many others that serve who serve the county and families affected by domestic violence.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION