Governor Baldacci Proclaims October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Press Release

Governor Baldacci Proclaims October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Governor John E. Baldacci and First Lady Karen Baldacci hosted the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence Thursday afternoon for a reception at the Blaine House. The Governor has proclaimed the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the State of Maine.

"It is my hope that in proclaiming Domestic Violence Awareness Month, people will become more aware of this issue and the havoc it creates in families," Governor Baldacci said. "A coordinated community response is necessary to reach into the heart of a problem that I know everyone here is committed to ending."

During the reception at the Blaine House, the Projects and Coalition staff honored community members who have contributed to the effort to end domestic abuse in Maine.

Governor Baldacci acknowledged some of the Legislation that was passed by the 123rd Legislature earlier this year, including making various forms of domestic violence a Class D crime.

"For repeat offenders of domestic violence, the consequences become more serious," the Governor said. "That is landmark Legislation. You should be proud of the work that you did to get the Legislation passed, working with the bill's sponsor Senate President Beth Edmonds."

First Lady Karen Baldacci also congratulated the group for working toward eradicating domestic violence.

The text of the proclamation follows:

WHEREAS, domestic violence is a widespread community problem, affecting Maine families regardless of geography, income or education; and

WHEREAS, dating violence and intimate partner violence are parts of the problem of domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, the effects of domestic violence are felt not only by victims, who are robbed of their dignity and sense of security, but also by their children, families, those that care about them and the community as a whole; and

WHEREAS, the most effective way to prevent domestic violence is through a shared commitment to ending the problem from every individual and community in Maine; and

WHEREAS, the most effective way to utilize the collective resources committed to ending domestic violence in Maine is through coordinated community-based response, involving a partnership with law enforcement agencies, courts, advocacy programs, social service agencies, schools, the health care profession, employers and all Maine citizens; and

WHEREAS, domestic violence is not only a crime, but a violation of a person's basic rights as a human being, and, as such, all victims deserve our support, and all offenders need to be held accountable; and

WHEREAS, consistent with our tradition of neighborly concern for one another, sense of fairness and justice, Maine's citizens are encouraged to report to law enforcement all suspected incidents of domestic violence,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN E. BALDACCI, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the month of October, 2007 as

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

throughout the State of Maine, and urge all citizens to recognize this observance.

Source