Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family

Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family

Arizona Recognizes October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October 1, 2024
PHOENIX — Governor Katie Hobbs declared October Domestic Violence Awareness Month to raise awareness and identify opportunities to expand services and prevention efforts that support survivors and victims of domestic violence in communities statewide. As a symbol of unity and hope, the Executive Tower at the State Capitol will be lit purple starting October 1st through the month of October as part of the 10th Lighting Arizona Purple campaign. The campaign provides an opportunity to support victims, connect families and communities with essential resources, and encourage Arizonans to #EndDVinAZ.

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View text of the proclamation below

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WHEREAS, domestic violence is a prevalent public health problem affecting all communities, regardless of age, race, gender, socio-economic status, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation; and

WHEREAS, over 61 million women and 53 million men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime; and 

WHEREAS, one in two women and one in four men have experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, 40.3 percent of children reported exposure to at least one form of family violence over their lifetimes, and 27.7 percent reported exposure to physical intimate partner violence; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, there were 101 known domestic violence-related fatalities across Arizona; and

WHEREAS, in 2024, I signed SB1371, which requires law enforcement agencies to provide victims of domestic violence with one free copy of their police report from the investigating law enforcement agency upon request. It also requires law enforcement agencies to prioritize the processing of each police report that is requested. Prioritizing the release of these police reports will help victims of domestic violence obtain the necessary documents to file an order of protection or injunctions against harassment with the courts; and

WHEREAS, by promoting healthy, respectful, and nonviolent relationships, communities can help reduce the occurrence of intimate partner violence and prevent the harmful and long-lasting effects of intimate partner violence on individuals, families, and communities; and

WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month provides the opportunity to enhance education, prevention, and intervention efforts around domestic violence and support organizations that provide advocacy efforts, services, and assistance to victims; and

WHEREAS, during Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, I stand with the tens of millions of people who have experienced intimate partner violence. I thank first responders, service providers, victim advocates, and community members who work to ensure that every Arizonan can live in safety, with dignity, and respect.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Katie Hobbs, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim October 2024 as

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

and call upon all government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, hospitals, colleges, schools, parents, and citizens in the state of Arizona to support domestic violence survivors and take a stand against all forms of violence and abuse in relationships by joining the #LightingAZPurple campaign, visiting EndDV.AZ.gov, and expanding efforts to #EndDVinAZ.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused
to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arizona

GOVERNOR

DONE at the Capitol in Phoenix on this tenth day of September in
the year Two Thousand and Twenty-Four and of the Independence
of the United States of America the Two Hundred and Forty-Ninth.

ATTEST:

SECRETARY OF STATE