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

WHEREAS, According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 9 men will experience sexual violence in their lives; and 

WHEREAS, SafeHouse Center, located in Pittsfield Charter Township, provides services to support those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault, providing emergency shelter for those in danger of being hurt or killed, counseling, legal advocacy, support groups, and especially, a sense of community and hope; and

WHEREAS, According to the Pittsfield Township Police Department, in 2021 they responded to approximately 171 Domestic Violence cases, accounting for 65.27% of overall assaults within Pittsfield Township; and

WHEREAS, The Pittsfield Charter Township Board of Trustees has, since 2009, used October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, to present a proclamation to SafeHouse Center as a token of our support and partnership; and 

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