Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 10/18/06

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PROCLAIMS OCTOBER AS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness month. This resolution was requested by the Commission on the Status of Women, the Sheriff’s Department, and the District Attorney’s Office to raise the awareness of domestic violence.

The District Attorney’s Office is committed to fostering strong relationships across all disciplines when dealing with family violence prevention in Sonoma County. The recently restructured Family Violence Prevention Council consists of 32 members representing an array of agencies, departments, and organizations in the County that deal with family violence. District Attorney Passalacqua and the Superior Court are co-chairs of the Council. The members meet monthly and are committed to establishing an effective, cooperative, and coordinated community response to end family violence. District Attorney Passalacqua stated, "This Council provides a key forum to exchange information, share knowledge and forge new networks of collaboration."

During the month of October, many public and private agencies will participate in educational forums and events addressing the issues of domestic violence. The community is encouraged to take part in the many activities that are planned to bring awareness to issues surrounding family violence.

The YWCA, Santa Rosa Police, and the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office will present Sonoma Wine Country's First Annual Family Violence Conference on October 19 and 20 at the Hilton Hotel in Santa Rosa. The conference is to raise awareness and provide education to law enforcement, court personnel, social service and health services providers, and victim advocates, The keynote speaker, Retired Lt. Mark Wynn, is a national trainer and major architect of the largest police domestic violence investigative unit in the nation. He motivates his audience to look at domestic violence through the eyes of a twenty-year public servant and a ten-year survivor of domestic violence. A number of nonprofit organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Center will have tables with brochures and resource information at this event.

On October 27, the District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Center will also have an information booth and staff available to answer questions about victim services at the Kaiser Permanente Silent Witness Display in Santa Rosa. This display, on location at Kaiser Permanente here in Santa Rosa, contains testimonials by victims of domestic violence.

In celebration of the "Week Without Violence," the YWCA of Sonoma County is hosting various events which the District Attorney enthusiastically supports. The YWCA has named Thursday, October 19, 2006 "Confronting Violence Against Men" day. The focus will be on how men can learn from each other about the consequences of violence and ways to eliminate violence from their lives. Advocates will be delivering campaign materials to local programs serving men.

The YWCA has also designated Friday, October 20, 2006 "Eliminating Racism and Hate Crimes" day Educating against ignorance, prejudice and hate is the first step on the path to understanding and appreciating our differences. The YWCA’s banner that advertises the elimination of racism will be displayed at the Sonoma Wine Country's First Annual Family Violence Conference.

Finally, Saturday, October 21, 2006 will celebrate "Replacing Violence with Sports, Recreation and Fun." The YWCA will have an information table at the Santa Rosa Plaza, giving out "Ask me Why?" buttons to encourage people to talk about Domestic Violence. Posters, purple ribbons and buttons will be visible throughout the mall and downtown Santa Rosa.