WHEREAS, domestic violence does not discriminate and affects all communities; and

WHEREAS, family and intimate partner homicides continue to represent over one third of all homicides in the Commonwealth, and without intervention, cycles of violence can perpetuate through generations; and

WHEREAS, it is critical that those seeking help or services have access to trauma-informed care and services; and

WHEREAS, in 1987, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) observed the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month and established the first Monday in October as the National Day of Unity; and

WHEREAS, during the month of October, Virginia victim-advocates, domestic and sexual violence centers, government agencies, and communities come together to recognize those who work to end violence, to celebrate those who have survived, and to mourn those who have died because of domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, over 78,955 survivors received help from hotline advocates and over 6,000 people received nearly 242,000 nights of emergency shelter due to domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, across the Commonwealth in 2022, judges and magistrates issued more than 50,000 emergency protective orders to protect the immediate health and safety of survivors and their families; and

WHEREAS, domestic violence agencies and partners gather on October 3rd to remember those who lost their lives to domestic violence, honor the resilience of survivors, and spread awareness about domestic violence across the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity for domestic violence advocacy agencies, systems-partners, communities, and allies honor domestic violence survivors and increase opportunities to educate communities, support families, and prevent domestic violence in the Commonwealth;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize October 2023, as DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.