Mercer Island City Council speaks out against domestic violence

At its Oct. 3 meeting, the Mercer Island City Council proclaimed October 2017 as “Domestic Violence Action Month.”

“Domestic violence is a serious crime that affects one in four women and one in seven men during their lifetime. It is widespread and has a devastating impact on survivors, children, families and our community. It does not discriminate and crosses all economic, racial, gender, educational, religious, and societal barriers,” according to the proclamation.

The city of Mercer Island’s Department of Youth and Family Services provides services to help mitigate the impact of domestic violence on survivors, children, families, and the community.

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“Education, prevention, and intervention efforts are imperative to not only protect victims, but also to increase public awareness of the severity and extent of domestic violence,” Mayor Bruce Bassett said while reading the proclamation.

Bassett urged citizens to speak out against domestic violence and “support efforts to prevent and end domestic abuse and the indifference that sustains it.”

“We must work together to increase public awareness of, and action on this issue,” he said. “We must work with young people to stop violence before it starts. Only then will we be able to truly put an end to this epidemic.”

Survivors, their loved ones and concerned citizens can learn more by calling the Youth and Family Services Department at 206-275-7611 or www.mercergov.org/yfs or the LifeWire Helpline at 425-746-1940 or www.lifewire.org.