City proclaims Domestic Violence Awareness Month; judge cites tragic local toll

Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones proclaimed October to be Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and recognized the city-county collaborative commission on domestic violence.

Judge Monique Diaz, co-chair of the collaborative, told the council the commission's seven-year partnership brings together courts, law enforcement, health care and community organizations to coordinate responses. "Last year, our community still saw nearly 7 family violence related 9-1-1 calls every hour," Diaz said, adding that "28 people, including 5 children, lost their lives to family violence." She called the multi-agency approach "critical and key" to improving prevention and survivor support.

Speakers from MetroHealth and other county and nonprofit partners described prevention, education and support services and urged continued funding and coordination. Several council members thanked the collaborative and emphasized the importance of data-driven work and services that reach survivors and families.

The proclamation will remain a formal recognition for October and the council underscored the need to protect funding streams for agencies and nonprofits that support survivors.