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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-12 Proclamation17 L PROCLAIMING OCTOBER AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH WHEREAS, Domestic Violence, a serious, widespread crime that affects over 10 million Americans, also called "intimate partner violence", can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner; and WHEREAS, Victims of domestic violence can be of any age, gender, ability, race, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status; and WHEREAS, Nearly 1 in 4 adult women (23%) and approximately I in 7 men (14%) in the U.S. report having experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime; and WHEREAS, In Maine, a domestic violence assault is reported to law enforcement every 2 hours and 22 minutes. In 2019, domestic violence assaults comprised 33.9% of the total assaults reported to law enforcement; and WHEREAS, 17.9% of Maine middle schoolers report that violence in their home, or the threat of violence, has caused them to have to leave home, even if only temporarily; and WHEREAS, Racism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism and discrimination based on physical ability, nationality or other factors help to perpetuate domestic violence and make finding safety even more difficult for some victims; and WHEREAS, The City of Bangor joins with others across Maine and the nation in supporting victims of domestic violence and we are committed to increasing public awareness of domestic violence and sending a clear message to abusers that domestic violence is not tolerated in Bangor; and WHEREAS, The City believes intimate partner violence is preventable. A number of factors may Increase or decrease the risk of perpetrating and experiencing intimate partner violence; and WHEREAS, Promoting healthy, respectful, and nonviolent relationships and communities can help reduce the occurrence of domestic violence. It also can prevent the harmful and long-liasting effects of IPV on individuals, families, and communities; and WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time to remember the lives our community has lost as a result of domestic violence, acknowledge the injustices faced by victims of domestic abuse, and champion the need for societal change. Now, Therefore, 1, Richard L. Fournier 11, Mayor of the City of Bangor, on behalf of the City Council, and the citizens of Bangor, do hereby recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and do hereby pledge our support and cooperation for ending domestic violence in our community. Given this day thqA'611 of October, 2022 0 Richard L. Fournier 11, Mayor