Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 10/06/2008

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Hilary Moores - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Cook Deputy District Attorney, Marianna Green

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

OCTOBER’S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH ACTIVITIES

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 Health and Human Services Departments, the Sheriff’s Department, the YWCA, the Commission on the Status of Women and the District Attorney’s Office to raise awareness on the impacts of domestic violence on victims, their children and the community at large.

District Attorney Passalacqua stated, “Each year, all of us who work together to combat domestic violence and to help victims heal, set aside time during the month of October to raise awareness in the community on this important topic.”

The public is encouraged to take part in the many activities sponsored by community-based and public agency partners to bring awareness to issues surrounding family violence.

“A Week Without Violence” Events, sponsored by the YWCA and District Attorney:

1. Sunday, 10/19: A Day of Remembrance
   Leaders in the faith community will be asked to conduct a moment of silence during this Sunday’s services in honor of all victims of domestic violence and their children. District Attorney Passalacqua will join Denise Frey, CEO of the YWCA Sonoma County, in visits to places of worship throughout Sonoma County.
2. Monday, 10/20: Protecting Our Children
   Artwork created by children who have witnessed domestic violence will be on display in community organizations that work with children and domestic violence.
   Purple Flags will be displayed throughout Sonoma County, representing the number of domestic violence or domestic-related incident calls to law enforcement in each community.
3. Tuesday, 10/21: Making Our Schools Safer
   YWCA Sonoma County will recognize the winners of its Annual Safe Schools Essay Contest. Students from middle schools throughout Sonoma County will participate.
4. Wednesday, 10/22: Confronting Violence Against Women
   YWCA Sonoma County will lead a forum on “Immigration and Domestic Violence.” Immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence contend with the fear of deportation and are therefore even more hesitant to ask for help. This forum will bring together experts in the field of immigration and domestic violence to educate professionals dealing with these cases. Posters sharing these women’s stories will be displayed at the forum.
5. Thursday, 10/23: Confronting Violence Against Men
   Advocates will be delivering campaign materials to local programs serving men and inviting them to confront domestic violence.
6. Friday, 10/24: Eliminating Racism and Hate Crimes
   A report on the forum on “Immigration and Domestic Violence” will be made to the Commission on Human Rights and the Commission on the Status of Women.

   Outreach to the Hispanic community will include the distribution of Spanish language brochures and posters and purple ribbons to OBGYN doctors and service-providers who serve the Latina community.

7. Saturday, 10/25: A Special Display of “The Clothesline Project”
   The Clothesline Project, a powerful display of t-shirts created by survivors of domestic violence, will be on view in Sonoma. These shirts depict the stories, pain and hope for the future of women and children whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence.

Awards will be presented to the winners of the YWCA’s Teen Dating Violence Essay Contest.

Additional Activities

• Table Tent Campaign
  Table tents will be made available to local restaurants and the cafeterias at local hospitals and the Coast Guard Training Center in Petaluma. The tents will be on display during Week Without Violence and will provide information about domestic violence and the services available through the YWCA.
• Outreach through Hair Salons
  The YWCA will be reaching out to beauty salons in Sonoma County during the month of October, asking that they display posters educating customers about the impact of domestic violence and how to reach out for help.