Mayor Terry Gardner officially declared Oct. 2, 2020, as Domestic Violence Awareness Day. This is in accord with National Domestic Violence Awareness month that is taking place throughout October.
“I, Terry L. Gardner, Mayor of the City of Minden, do hereby proclaim October 2, 2020, as Domestic Violence Awareness Day in the City of Minden and urge all citizens to reach out to those who have been abused and help educate people about the vital importance of eradicating domestic violence in our Nation,” said Gardner as he read the proclamation aloud on Minden’s Courthouse steps.
Project Celebration representative Amber Webster spoke of her organization’s goal and mission to raise awareness of domestic abuse and how they help survivors of domestic abuse as well.
“When talking about Louisiana’s recent lowering from number three in the nation to number five in domestic violence homicides, we have to accredit prevention and awareness efforts such as these,” said Webster.
“We at project celebration believe that one in three and one in seven men that are subject to domestic violence is one too many. When over 5 million young children are exposed to domestic violence, we must stop and question why are our children being desensitized to violence through media and games? We have to make a change. We have to change the question from why doesn’t she leave, to questions such as why didn’t I support her, and why didn’t he just stop. We have to go and change our communities and it starts now. Don’t let this discussion end today.”
A full transcript of the proclamation can be read below:
WHEREAS, Domestic Violence traumatizes victims, endangers children, harms families, and threatens communities; and
WHEREAS, Domestic Violence is a great evil and an offense against human dignity that shatters lives and robs children of their innocence. Where it occurs, homes are transformed into places of danger and despair; and
WHEREAS, the month of October is designated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Day in our city is an opportunity to renew our commitment to preventing domestic violence and to assisting those who suffer from its devastating effects; and
WHEREAS, as we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Day, we underscore our commitment to building an America where all citizens can live with dignity, work productively, and achieve their dreams; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terry L. Gardner, Mayor of the City of Minden, do hereby proclaim October 2, 2020, as Domestic Violence Awareness Day in the City of Minden and urge all citizens to reach out to those who have been abused and help educate people about the vital importance of eradicating domestic violence in our Nation.