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2 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH 2O20 <br /> WHEREAS, domestic violence is a pattern of coercion and control in an intimate partner <br /> relationship where one person uses violence to gain power and control over their partner; and <br /> WHEREAS, domestic violence includes not only physical, but also mental abuse, emotional <br /> abuse, financial abuse, isolation and sexual abuse; and <br /> WHEREAS, individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, age, gender identity, or sexual <br /> orientation can experience abuse by an intimate partner; and <br /> WHEREAS, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, on average nearly <br /> 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During <br /> one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men; and <br /> WHEREAS, on a typical day there are 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines <br /> nationwide according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and <br /> WHEREAS, in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic <br /> Violence, at least 57 individuals were murdered as a result of domestic violence in 2019; and <br /> WHEREAS, Compass Center for Women and Families, the state-designated domestic violence <br /> service provider for Orange County, served over 1,400 survivors of domestic violence through <br /> their 24-hour hotline, support groups, court advocacy, crisis counseling, Latinx services, and <br /> other services last year; and <br /> WHEREAS, Compass Center has launched Safe Homes, New Lives - an innovative and <br /> compassionate new housing strategy that empowers victims of domestic violence, provides <br /> safety for them and their children, and keeps them in their community by providing scattered <br /> housing across Orange County to shelter victims and their families for up to 3 months; and <br /> WHEREAS, prevention strategies involve collaborations by multiple partners to promote social <br /> norms, policies, and laws that support gender equity and foster intimate partnerships based on <br /> mutual respect, equality, and trust; <br /> Now, therefore, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, do hereby proclaim this <br /> time to be: <br /> "Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2020" <br /> and encourage the citizens of Orange County to observe this time in ways appropriate to its <br /> importance and significance. <br /> Proclaimed this the 6th day of October, 2020. <br /> Penny Rich, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />