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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign a proclamation recognizing October 2022 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in the County of El Dorado.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects people of all ages, socio-economic status, religion, race, sexual orientation, or nationality. Characteristics of domestic violence typically involve a pattern of power and control between intimate partners with the abusive behavior initiated by one partner against the other. Frequently, emotional abuse and controlling behavior are a component along with physical violence. In 2019, the California Criminal Justice Statistic Center reported 166,890 domestic violence-related calls to law enforcement with 46% of reported calls involving weapons. In the same year, the Statistic Center reported domestic violence homicides comprised 10.7% of all California homicides a 22.2 % increase over 2017 domestic violence homicides. Long-term societal effects of domestic violence and abuse contribute to increased medical cost burden, victims staying home from work or inability to hold a job, and lower wages resulting from diminished educational opportunities. The economic cost to government is estimated to be $55 billion annually (Western Case University 2018).
To raise attention to this nationwide public health issue, demonstrate support for the two domestic violence shelters in the County, and to voice support for El Dorado residents impacted by this issue, HHSA recommends the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign a proclamation recognizing October 2022 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could decline to approve the Proclamation naming October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 10-12-2021, File ID 21-1456, HHSA- Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation
2) 10-13-2020, File ID 20-1267, HHS...
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