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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing October 2016 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in Solano County (Supervisor Vasquez)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The District Attorney recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
In October of 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. The Department recognizes the need to raise public awareness and to reduce children’s exposure to violence and therefore recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing October 2016 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The financial impact associated with the adoption of the resolution is minimal and absorbed in the Department’s 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 2016 marks the 30th 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 works to educate the public with which they have contact, on family violence prevention strategies designed to break cycles of violence. Many of these agencies are using limited resources in an effort to facilitate events in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. A partial list of these events includes:
Travis Air Force Base, Family Advocacy Office ~ 4th Annual “A Beautiful You”
October 14th, 2016, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Fourth Annual “A Beautiful You” is a collaborative event combining Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month and will provide a mini “Spa Day” to empower victims and survivors to feel good about themselves. Please call (707) 423-5165 for more information.
Travis Air Force Base, Family Advocacy Office ~ 2nd Annual Lace-Up for Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer Awareness 5K, October 19th, 2016, registration begins at 4:30 p.m.
The Second Annual Lace-Up for Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer Awareness is another collaboration combining Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. Speakers are scheduled as well as participant giveaways. Donations of woman’s undergarments, t-shirts and socks are encouraged. All donations will be presented to the local homeless shelter.
Fairfield Police Department, Solano County District Attorney’s Office, Office of Family Violence Prevention, Solano Family Justice Center ~ Candlelight Vigil,
October 20th, 2016, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Fairfield City Hall footsteps
The Candlelight Vigil will recognize and remember lives lost as a result of family violence. This remembrance is in memory of those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived and connecting those who work to end violence in Solano County.
SafeQuest Solano ~ 3rd Annual Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge, September 28th to October 25th, 2016, Online donation fundraiser
To honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month, SafeQuest Solano is proud to join in the 3rd Annual Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge. The challenge aims to aid victims of domestic violence by funding “financial empowerment services for survivors.” Please help SafeQuest Solano and the Allstate Foundation by donating to www.crowdrise.com/safequestsolano-purplepurse2016 and clicking on “Fundraise for this campaign.” All proceeds donated between September 28th and October 25th go to SafeQuest Solano to aid in their mission to end domestic violence.
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 and Prevention Month; however, this alternative is not recommended since the month of October 2016 has been nationally designated as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The District Attorney’s Office of Family Violence Prevention and Solano Family Justice Center, and the Solano Partnership Against Violence work collaboratively with and recognize the efforts of the Solano County Sheriff’s Office and the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), Fairfield Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit, Fighting Back Partnership, SafeQuest Solano, Child Haven, the Travis Air Force Base Family Advocacy Office, Kaiser Permanente Family Violence Prevention Team, the Family Resource Centers that serve the county, and many others that serve families affected by domestic violence. The County Administrator’s Office has also reviewed this submittal.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION