JACKSON, Wyo. — During the Jackson Town Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 2 a proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month will be read.
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 2022, 254 victims of domestic violence were served in Wyoming,” the proclamation states. “One hundred and thirty-six adult and child victims of domestic violence found refuge in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or other housing provided by local domestic violence programs. One hundred and eighteen 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, 151 hotline calls took place across the state.”
In 2021, 264 victims were served, 143 adult and child victims found refuge in emergency shelters and 121 victims received non-residential assistance including counseling, legal advocacy, etc. In a single 24 hours, 120 hotline calls were made across the state.
“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, one other proclomation will also be read, declaring Fall Clean Up Day as Nov. 3 and Fall Burn Week as Oct. 28 to Nov. 5. Citizens can pick up free compostable paper bags for yard waste begining Oct. 13.
