Domestic Violence Awareness Month

WHEREAS, domestic violence hurts Alabama families, our children and our communities; and

WHEREAS, in 2013, 20,489 domestic violence assaults were reported in Alabama; and

WHEREAS, one in three women are victims of domestic violence in the United States; and

WHEREAS, it takes an average of 7.5 times for a woman to leave her batterer permanently; and

WHEREAS, the severity of adult domestic violence has been shown to be greater in cases where the violence began in adolescence; and

WHEREAS, concerned citizens, organizations and communities throughout Alabama have implemented innovative and effective programs to raise awareness and to prevent domestic and dating violence; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV) serves as the statewide professional association representing Alabama’s 18 certified domestic violence shelters.  These facilities provide emergency shelter, crisis counseling, clothes, food, court assistance, job training and a host of critical other services for domestic violence victims and their children; and

WHEREAS, by calling ACADV’s hotline, 1-800-650-6522, the caller will automatically be directed to the closest domestic violence shelter; and

WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month recognizes the impact of domestic violence on our families, encourages citizens and communities to work together to prevent domestic violence and promotes healthy, respectful relationships; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2014, as

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

in the state of Alabama.