VIOLENCE FREE COMMUNITY.
On Monday October 21st at 12:30 pm on the steps of Gloucester City Hall thecommunity will gather for the annual Domestic Abuse Awareness and Prevention event. CPDA notes, “ We anticipate remarks from our elected officials, HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change) and the Gloucester Police Department reflecting our efforts towards ending domestic abuse. Addi- tionally the mayor will present a proclamation declaring October Domestic Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and we will raise our End Abuse flag.”
“Each year, we in Gloucester come together with local elected officials, community partners, survivors, and their families to reaffirm our combined commitment to prevention and response.As you know, this has been a longstanding tradition in our community to recognize the experience of survivors and their families, and to highlight the critical work being done within the region to provide the necessary services and support,” declared Mayor Verga.
Coalition Co-chair, Nicki Richon Schoel added, “HAWC opened an office on Main Street in Gloucester in 1996. Since 1997, we have gathered annually at City Hall to renew our commitment to recognizing domestic abuse as a critical public health issue in our city. But in doing so this year, we also want to note especially the legislative advances that have occurred in areas of prohibiting revenge porn, improving gun safety measures and so-called red flag laws, and extending the timeframe in which survivors of child sexual abuse can file claims.
“We look forward to hearing in more detail from our local representatives about the potential impact of these legislative advances as well as receiving an update on the breadth of HAWC services. After our brief program we will have the reading of the official proclamation, declaring the month Domestic Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and the raising of our End Domestic Abuse flag.
“We invite and encourage all segments of our community, especially survivors, their families and supporters to stand with us”, said Richon Schoel.”
Good Morning Gloucester 