HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Read Before Packet - 10/19/2021 - Amended Proclamation Declaring October As Domestic Violence Awareness MonthPROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Colorado criminal code defines domestic violence as: “an act or threatened act
of violence against a person with whom the defendant has an intimate relationship, such as a current
or former spouse, partner, co-habitant, or co-parent when the act is used to coerce, control, punish,
intimidate, or seek revenge against that person;” and
WHEREAS, nationally one in four women and one in seven men have experienced severe
physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetimes; 17.9% of children of all ages have been
exposed to physical intimate partner violence in their lifetimes (nearly 13.6 million children);
domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children; and
WHEREAS, in Colorado 36.8% of women and 30.5% of men experience intimate partner
physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes;
15% of homicides in Colorado were committed by intimate partners; domestic violence statistics do
not adequately represent our LGBTQ2+, People of Color, Black, and Indigenous communities who
face challenges that have limited their ability to seek help when faced with domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, in Fort Collins, Crossroads Safehouse, The Zonta Club of Fort Collins, Zonta
North Forty Club, and other local human and social services’ agencies, together with numerous
volunteers, provide critical assistance and services to victims and their children including
lifesaving crisis intervention, emergency shelter, safety planning, and advocacy and support; and
WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched nationwide in
October of 1987 to connect and unite individuals and organizations to work together to end intimate
partner abuse and to raise awareness around the issues facing victims and survivors.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jeni Arndt, Mayor of the City of Fort Collins, do hereby
proclaim the month of October as
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
in the City of Fort Collins and ask the citizens of this community to help raise awareness to
recognize, prevent, and stop domestic violence. Our community can show its support for domestic
violence awareness by wearing purple throughout the month, but particularly on Thursday, October
21, 2021, which we hope will begin a much-needed conversation toward the goal of lessening
domestic violence.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the City of Fort
Collins this 19th day of October A.D. 2021.
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ATTEST: Mayor
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Interim City Clerk