Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Effective Date: Saturday, October 1st, 2011
WHEREAS, Alaska has faced an epidemic of domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, the safety of Alaskan families is crucial to securing the future of our state; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence is a crime that violates the dignity of Alaskans, destroys families, and corrodes the fibers of our communities; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence can take the form of physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, and economic control and/or abuse; and
WHEREAS, everyone has the right to feel safe in their homes and communities; and
WHEREAS, too often, the victims of domestic violence are children, who can have lifelong repercussions from the emotional or physical trauma of being exposed to domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, through tough laws and consistent enforcement, the expansion of victim and survivor services, prevention, education, and the commitment of all Alaskans to Choose Respect in our homes and communities rather than tolerate evil among us, we can end this domestic violence epidemic in our state.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim October 2011 as:
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to stand together against domestic violence in our state, offer support and understanding to survivors, take action to end the cycle of domestic violence, and Choose Respect.
Dated: August 22, 2011
