Police Chief Dino Sgambellone, left, accepts a proclamation from Los Alamos County Council Vice Chair James Robinson during Tuesday night’s council meeting. The proclamation declares October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

COUNTY News:

During Tuesday night’s Los Alamos County Council meeting, a proclamation was presented, which declares October Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Vice Chair James Robinson read the proclamation, which states:

WHEREAS: In 1989, Congress designated October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and every year since organizations have observed the designation with a variety of awareness activities: remembering those who have died as a result of domestic violence, acknowledging and celebrating survivors, and connecting allies and communities to end all forms of relationship violence; and

WHEREAS: Domestic violence remains a pervasive issue across the state of New Mexico, the United States, and the world with implications for personal and community health; and

WHEREAS: We must prioritize addressing the problem of domestic violence in our community every day of the year, through awareness, prevention, response, and support; and

WHEREAS: Domestic violence does not discriminate and touches all communities regardless of age, race, disability, gender identity, or socioeconomic status; and

WHEREAS: Research shows that by creating communities where people are connected, supportive, and involved, incidents of domestic violence can be reduced; and

WHEREAS: Every day in Los Alamos County individuals and organizations play a part in supporting people impacted by domestic violence by providing services–including therapeutic, legal, educational, housing, advocacy, and medical services;

Now, therefore, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby proclaim the Month of October 2021 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Los Alamos County and encourage all citizens and allies to join LAPD in advocating for the basic human right to be free from violence and abuse, to promote domestic violence awareness, to challenge perceptions about domestic violence, to advocate for community resources, to provide domestic violence survivors the tools to escape abuse and secure justice for the harm inflicted upon them.