Washington declares Domestic Violence Awareness month

WASHINGTON — Mayor Pro Tem Millie Youngquist formally declared October “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” with a signed proclamation at Tuesday night’s Washington City Council Meeting.

The statement acknowledged abuse’s presence within and impact on places like Washington.

“Domestic abuse in rural communities exists as a hidden, silent, and often unrecognized crime that is often underreported,” the proclamation read. “Through the inspiration of, courage and persistence of victims of domestic abuse, their children and advocates, our communities are learning to recognize the impact of violence in the home and within intimate relationships.”

The move was encouraged by the Domestic Violence Intervention Program at the last city council meeting, but delayed because of a miscommunication between the organization and city staff.

A spokesperson for the group said proclamations like Washington’s helped spread awareness not only for domestic violence, but for the services DVIP provides. The organization, according to its records, has spent 1,201 hours working with 112 individuals in Washington County in the last year.

“It is so crucial that we have all of our service areas make an acknowledgment,” DVIP Client Advocate Garyn Simpson said at the council’s Oct. 3 meeting. “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.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com