JACKSON, Wyo. — During the Jackson Town Council meeting Oct. 17 Mayor Hailey Morton Levinson proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
According to the proclamation, “The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that one million women are victimized by domestic violence each year, with less than half of all such crimes actually thought to be reported.”
“In a single day in 2021, 264 victims of domestic violence were served in Wyoming. 143 adult and child victims of domestic violence found refuge in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or other housing provided by local domestic violence programs. 121 adult and child victims received non-residential assistance and services, including counseling, legal advocacy, children’s support groups, and more. In the same 24 hours, 120 hotline calls took place across the state”
In 2020, 280 victims were served, 116 adults and children found refuge in emergency shelters, transitional housing or other housing provided by local domestic violence programs and 164 adults and children received non-residential assistance such as counseling and legal advocacy.
“The problems of domestic violence are not confined to any one group of people but crosses all gender identities, economic, racial and societal barriers; and violates an individual’s dignity, security, and humanity, due to systematic use of physical, emotional, sexual, psychological and economic control and/or abuse,” the proclamations stated.
The proclamation encourages community members to take a personal pledge to end domestic violence and also address local organizations that work to end domestic violence including, Teton County Victim Services, The Community Safety Network, the Wyoming Division of Victim Services and the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault.
During the meeting, two other proclamations were read recognizing, Oct. 9-15 as Early Childhood Cancer Awareness Week, in alignment with the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection, and Oct. 29-Nov. 6 as Fall Burn Week.
