Proclamation "Domestic Violence Awareness Month"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Domestic violence is a serious crime that affects people of all races, ages, gender, and income levels. Domestic violence is widespread and affects over 4 million Americans each year. One in three Americans have witnessed an incident of domestic violence. Children that grow up in violent homes are believed to be abused and neglected at a rate higher than the national average. Domestic violence costs the nation billions of dollars annually in medical expenses, police and court costs, shelters, foster care, sick leave, absenteeism, and non-productivity. Only a coordinated community effort will put a stop to this heinous crime. Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an excellent opportunity for citizens to learn more about preventing domestic violence and to show support for the numerous organizations and individuals who provide critical advocacy, services and assistance to victims.

The City of Sumter commends the Sumter County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (consisting of the Sumter Housing Authority, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Sumter Police Department, Sumter School Districts 2 and 17, the Sumter YWCA, the Family Advocacy Center of Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter County Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Sumter County Department of Mental Health, S. C. Center for Equal Justice, Sexual Assault Response of Shaw Air Force Base, Victory Church, Sumter County Department of Social Services, and Family Support Services) for working together for such a worthy cause and for sponsoring today’s event to increase awareness regarding the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of preventing domestic violence.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Joseph T. McElveen, Jr., Mayor of the City of Sumter, do hereby proclaim Friday, October 14, 2011as: “DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH” in the CITY OF SUMTER and urge all of our citizens to join me and the members of the Sumter County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council in working together to eliminate domestic violence from our community.

Joseph T. McElveen, Jr., Mayor