Washingon will declare domestic violence awareness month, next meeting

WASHINGTON — A miscommunication between Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) representatives and Washington city staff has slightly pushed back plans for Mayor Pro Tem Millie Youngquist to declare October “Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” after the issue was not posted on the council’s meeting agenda, and a proclamation was not drafted ahead of the city council’s regular meeting Oct. 3.

Still, Youngquist backed plans for a declaration in the near future, saying the city was “very much in support” of DVIP’s mission.

Other elected officials agreed.

Council Member Elaine Moore encouraged a spokesperson from the group to return to Washington’s next regular meeting, scheduled for Oct. 17, where a formal declaration is planned.

“I think it would be wonderful if you could, please, come back and we could present to you, properly, the proclamation that the city of Washington supports you, 100%, in your quest to stop domestic violence,” Council Member Elaine Moore said. “I think it would be amazing.”

Speaking during Tuesday night’s public comment period, DVIP Client Advocate Garyn Simpson said such proclamations helped raise awareness not only about domestic violence issues, but about her group’s activities in the community.

“It is so crucial that we have all of our service areas make an acknowledgment,” Simpson said, adding that one in four women, on average, experienced domestic abuse in their lifetimes, as did one in 10 men. “Clients reported feeling safer after working with DVIP, so going out and doing these proclamations and bringing this awareness to what we do and who we serve is really, so special and so important, that people know we exist and that there is help out there.”

DVIP provides a long list of resources to the Iowans it reaches. A map of the organization’s “region 6” area shows mobile or satellite offices in eight Southeast Iowa counties, with shelters in Johnson, Washington and Des Moines counties. A flyer distributed by Simpson Tuesday night said the group also offered 1:1 counseling, youth services and victim advocacy, among other things.

The issue is pertinent in Washington County, where Simpson said DVIP had worked with 112 individuals in the last year, totaling 1,201 hours or services provided.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com