HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-01-2024; 4-b - Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 1, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: County Manager
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Bridget McEnaney, Compass Center,
919-968-4610
Gentry Hodnett, Compass Center, 919-
968-4610
Travis Myren, 919-245-2306
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing October 2024 as Domestic Violence
Awareness Month in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Domestic Violence is a pattern of behaviors used by someone to maintain
power and control in an intimate or family relationship.
In 1989, the U.S. Congress first passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and has adopted similar legislation each year
thereafter. The goal has been to educate and make the public aware of domestic violence issues,
support the victims of domestic violence, and to connect advocates across the nation who are
working to end domestic violence.
The Board of Commissioners is asked to proclaim October 2024 as "Domestic Violence
Awareness Month" in Orange County to support victims of domestic violence, to educate
residents, and support those working to end domestic violence.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 6. Provide sustainable, equitable, and high-quality community safety and
emergency services to meet the community's evolving needs.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the proclamation designating October 2024 as "Domestic Violence Awareness
Month" in Orange County.
2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH 2O24
WHEREAS, domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by someone to maintain power and
control in an intimate or family relationship; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence encompasses not only physical abuse, but also emotional, verbal,
financial, sexual, or digital abuse, isolation, and/or stalking; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minorities, undocumented
people, women, trans and gender non-conforming people, and disabled people; and
WHEREAS, racism, sexism, xenophobia, transphobia, ableism, and other forms of oppression and
discrimination perpetuate domestic violence and make seeking safety and stability more difficult for
marginalized survivors; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, on average nearly 20
people per minute are abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates
to more than 10 million people; and
WHEREAS, in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, at
least 73 individuals were murdered by a current or former intimate partner in 2023 and at least 63 have
been murdered so far in 2024; and
WHEREAS, at least two Orange County residents have been murdered so far this year by a current or
former intimate partner or family member; and
WHEREAS, Compass Center, the state-designated domestic violence service provider for Orange
County, serves more than 1,300 survivors of domestic violence each year through its 24-hour domestic
violence crisis line, support groups, court and community advocacy, Latinx programs, career and
financial counseling, and other services and engages thousands more in prevention education and
outreach; and
WHEREAS, Compass Center has collaborated with numerous local agencies over the last two years
to bring the Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) Program to Orange County, which trains first
responders to screen for lethality risk factors and directly connect highest-risk victims to the Compass
Center, and is now receiving on-scene referrals from LAP-trained officers with the Orange County
Sheriff's Office, and the Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough police departments; and
WHEREAS, preventing domestic violence requires the collective awareness, care, and action of
individuals, institutions, and systems to transform our communities through social norms, policies, and
laws that reject violence and abuse and promote healthy relationships based on respect, trust, and
equity;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, do hereby proclaim
October 2024 to be:
"Domestic Violence Awareness Month"
and encourage the residents of Orange County to observe this time in ways appropriate to its
importance and significance.
Proclaimed this the 1st day of October, 2024.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners