OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF BOISE
Boise, ID – Boise Mayor David Bieter has joined local and national officials in proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Boise. During the month of October, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) is partnering with other local organizations and supporters to bring awareness to domestic abuse in our community.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. However, domestic abuse is not just an issue of physical violence and extends to any relationship between intimate partners. An abusive relationship exists when one partner exerts power and control over another through a variety of behaviors, including isolation, intimidation, threats, withholding financial su
pport or physical violence.
Our community is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. However, contrary to what many believe the epidemic of domestic abuse is prevalent. In fact, last year there were 4,552 calls for service to law enforcement agencies (including 911) in Ada County alone.
Each day in Idaho more than 514 victims of domestic violence and their children seek safety and services from community-based programs, like those offered by the WCA. In 2014, the WCA answered 1,855 calls to two confidential 24-hour domestic violence and sexual assault hotlines and provided 9,583 safe bed nights to 176 women and children in the secure shelter.
All those in the Treasure Valley are being asked to wear purple on Thursday, October 15, 2015, to help generate discussion and awareness of domestic abuse in our community. Purple awareness ribbons are available at the WCA.
About the WCA
The Women’s & Children’s Alliance provides safety, healing and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault. The WCA operates secure shelters and provides professional counseling, legal advocacy, crisis services and case management to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. For more information, visit www.wcaboise.org.
Contact:
Chris Campbell-Davis, Communications Manager
ccampbell-davis@wcaboise.org
o: 208.343.3688 ext. 11/c: 208.249.9287
