The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the board meeting on October 7. The commissioners passed the proclamation dv_awareness_month_proc (257.42 KB) in order to raise awareness of an issue faced by approximately 1 in 7 women in Multnomah County.
Domestic violence occurs across all socio-economic groups, races, ethnic groups and religious groups in Multnomah County. Domestic violence affects people in heterosexual and same-sex relationships, of all ages and physical abilities.
On September 8, county and city officials celebrated the opening of the Gateway Center for Domestic Violence, a “one-stop” center that offers counseling, children’s advocacy, legal assistance and a wide array of other services. The center joins the county’s Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT), SHARE Project (a housing initiative for battered women) and Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team in combating domestic violence.
Yet, in spite of this support system, domestic violence is growing. In 2008, 17 deaths in Oregon were associated with domestic violence. In 2009, that number jumped to 39. In 2010, investigators have already linked 43 deaths to domestic violence.
To learn more, read "Together we can stop domestic violence," an Oregonian editorial written by County Chair Jeff Cogen and City Commissioner Dan Saltzman or visit the county's domestic violence website.