WHEREAS,

the President of the United States, the Governor of Michigan, and Washtenaw County have recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and, 

WHEREAS,

domestic violence is the intentional and patterned use of physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, and economic coercion and abuse; and,

WHEREAS,

according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime; and

WHEREAS,

domestic violence continues to be a pervasive social problem across Michigan and in Washtenaw County, with an estimated 20% of women in the State currently experiencing violence in their relationships; and,

WHEREAS,

the SafeHouse Center provides empowering services to over 5,500 individuals who have gone on to create lives free of violence for themselves and their children each year in Washtenaw County; and,

WHEREAS,

children exposed to domestic violence can experience long-term consequences including difficulty at school, substance abuse, and serious adult health problems; and,

WHEREAS,

Pittsfield Charter Township government and it's leadership is an ally in the fight against domestic violence; and,

WHEREAS,

Pittsfield Charter Township demonstrates its continued commitment to stopping domestic violence through such actions as making an annual financial contribution to the SafeHouse Center of $20,000/year; and

WHEREAS,

Domestic Violence Awareness Month can serve to highlight a social problem that has the potential of negatively impacting the very core of our social fabric while recruiting volunteers to join the fight;