A Focus at Town Hall on Domestic Violence

Weston Today photos

In a ceremony on the steps of Town Hall on Tuesday, First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Ms. Nestor was joined by State Representative Anne Hughes, Weston School Superintendent Lisa Barbiero, Social Services Director Allison Lisbon, Weston Police Officer Jonathan Marsili, and Suzanne Adam, executive director of the Domestic Violence Crisis Center.

The Center provides support for those experiencing domestic violence, including a hotline at (203) 588-9097. The services are free, confidential, multilingual and multicultural. Help is also available from the state’s Safe Connect Hotline at (888) 774-2900.

The proclamation, reproduced below, emphasized the scope of the issue: that one-third or more of all women and men in Connecticut “experience intimate partner violence and/or intimate partner sexual assault in their lifetime,” that it can happen to anyone, and that it takes “an average of seven attempts before a victim leaves an abuser for good.”

“Leaving the abuser is statistically the most dangerous time for a victim.”

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, In the Town of Weston in recognition of the important work done by survivors, domestic violence programs and victim service providers, I urge all citizens to actively participate in the scheduled activities and programs sponsored by the Domestic Violence Crisis Center and other community organizations to work toward the elimination of domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, In the state of Connecticut, 37% of women and 33% of men experience intimate partner violence and/or intimate partner sexual assault in their lifetime. Domestic Violence can happen to anyone irrespective of gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, socioeconomic status, or ability; and it not only impacts the individual but their family, friends, and surrounding community as well. Everyone deserves to live a life free from violence, so we as a community will continue to offer our support to survivors and remind them that they are not alone; and

WHEREAS, Domestic violence remains a public health crisis that requires community-wide involvement to solve. It affects adult victims and the children who are exposed. Growing up in a home with domestic violence is the strongest predictor of becoming a victim or an abuser as an adult. For this reason, raising public awareness and providing prevention education about the dynamics of domestic violence are critical to breaking generational cycles of abuse; and

WHEREAS, The trauma related to domestic violence places an enormous burden on its victims. It takes an average of seven attempts before a victim leaves an abuser for good. Leaving the abuser is statistically the most dangerous time for a victim. Even when survivors can break free from the abuse, they still face significant barriers, including finding affordable housing and childcare. Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children, and safe housing remains the most urgent need for survivors; and

WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an important opportunity to enhance education, prevention and intervention efforts around domestic violence, and join concerned individuals and organizations, like Domestic Violence Crisis Center in their fight to eradicate domestic violence. Through this proclamation, we mourn those we have lost, and honor and support all survivors as they courageously move forward to enjoy full and healthy lives.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Samantha Nestor, First Selectwoman of the Town of Weston, hereby do proclaim October 2022 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Samantha Nestor
First Selectwoman, Town of Weston, Connecticut

In the photo, left to right: Ms. Lisbon, First Selectwoman Nestor, Rep. Hughes, Ms. Adam, Superintendent Barbiero, Officer Marsili.

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