Please join me, the Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Abuse, and many others of our community as we come together on Tuesday, October 6th, at 12:30pm on the steps of City Hall to once again proclaim October as Domestic Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.
We anticipate remarks from our elected officials, HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change) and the Gloucester Police Department reflecting our efforts over the last year towards responding to domestic abuse. We will present a proclamation declaring October Domestic Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and raise our Ending Abuse flag. Please note the date and plan to join us.
Each year, we in Gloucester come together in this manner with local officials, community partners, survivors and their families to reaffirm our combined commitment to prevention and response. We join together to recognize the experiences of survivors and their families, and to highlight the critical work being done within our city to provide the necessary services and support. For more than twenty-five continuous years this has been a longstanding tradition in our community.
We recognize that abuse and violence remain critical and preventable public health issues affecting the safety and well-being of our community. While we are well aware of the increased challenge these efforts may take during these times, we remain proud and pleased with the continuing response from so many segments of our community.
We are committed to support services providing hotlines, shelter, safety and education to victims and survivors; and that we will need each other and our community’s services as we try to address and prevent incidents of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Please join me and others as we stand with survivors and recognize that some community members have additional layers of vulnerability related to gender, race, ethnicity, class and immigration status. This year we need to assure that we sustain our commitment to pursuing restorative justice with and for all peoples, including Immigrant Families, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+ and Trans Persons.
I sincerely hope you will be able to join us for this important annual event. This is an open event, so please encourage others in your network to attend. While RSVPs are appreciated they are not strictly necessary.
Best regards,
Mayor Paul Lundberg
City of Gloucester
