CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs on Monday officially proclaimed the month of October 2019 “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in the city of Cullman. On hand to accept the proclamation from Jacobs was Carol Horstman, executive director of Victim Services of Cullman, Inc. (VSOC).
“Unfortunately, domestic violence is a problem here and throughout the world,” said Jacobs. “Victim Services of Cullman and others in our community work to help victims of domestic violence, and we appreciate all that they do.”
Jacobs encouraged citizens to participate in Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) events sponsored by VSOC, including:
- Purple Pumpkin Contest: Show support for DVAM by decorating pumpkins in purple. Decorated pumpkins can be dropped off at the VSOC administrative office located at 310 Third Ave. NE, Cullman, where they will be displayed all month.
- Candlelight Vigil to honor victims and memorialize those who lost their lives to domestic violence scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 at Depot Park.
- Purple Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019: Everyone wear purple to show support for victims of domestic violence.
VSOC was established in 1991 to help victims of domestic violence. In 1996, it began also providing services to victims of sexual assault. Their mission is to “break the cycle of family violence and sexual assault, preventing future acts of abuse through education, outreach and empowering the survivors through support and advocacy.”
“We don’t like to think of domestic violence happening here in Cullman, but it does,” said Horstman. “It happens everywhere.”
Some of the services VSOC provides include:
- 24-hour Crisis Line (256-734-6100)
- Harbor Haus Domestic Violence Shelter, which provides housing for domestic violence victims in Cullman County and provides access to other services and resources.
- Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP), which is a 24-session intervention program to help perpetrators of domestic violence learn to identify and change certain behavioral characteristics and patters that can contribute to violence behavior.
- Transition Program, which is designed to help people transition to independent living
- Group and individual counseling
- Support groups
- Parenting classes
- Child advocacy
- Court advocacy
- Hospital accompaniment for sexual assault victims
- Community education programs
To find out more about Victim Services of Cullman, Inc., visit www.victimservicesofcullman.com or call the administrative office at 256-775-2600.
If you are in a domestic violence situation, call the VSOC 24-Hour Crisis Line at 256-734-6100 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). You may also contact VSOC by email at help@victimservicesofcullman.com.
The proclamation issued by Jacobs reads as follows:
Whereas, in just one day across the U.S. and its territories, nearly 75,000 victims of domestic violence sought services from domestic violence programs and shelters. That same day, more than 9,000 requests for services including emergency shelter, housing, transportation, childcare, and legal representation could not be provided because programs lacked the resources to meet victims’ needs. The need for safe houses remains survivors’ most urgent need; and,
Whereas, the impact of domestic violence is wide ranging, affecting society as a whole as well as individuals in this community and throughout the world. It can have long-term damaging effects on victims and their families, including children exposed to the abuse. Unfortunately, discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, nationality, or other factors help perpetuate domestic violence and make finding safety more difficult for some victims; and,
WHEREAS, the crime of domestic violence crosses all economic, racial, gender, educational, religious, and societal barriers, and is sustained by societal indifference. It violates a person’s privacy, dignity, security, and humanity due to the systematic use of physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, and economic control and/or abuse. Perpetrators should be punished to the full extent of the law. Victims deserve compassion, comfort, healing and access to medical and legal services, counseling, transitional housing, and other services to escape the cycle of abuse; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Cullman joins with communities across the state and nation in supporting domestic violence victims and the local programs, state coalitions, national organizations, and other agencies who work to increase public awareness of domestic violence and send a clear message to abusers that domestic violence is not tolerated; and,
WHEREAS, domestic violence impacts millions of people each year, but it can be prevented and our communities can be transformed through the collective voice and power of individuals, families, institutions, and systems working together toward this common goal.
Now, therefore, I, Woody Jacobs, as Mayor of the City of Cullman and on behalf of the Cullman City Council and our citizens, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2019 “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in the City of Cullman and urge our citizens to recognize the work done by survivors, domestic violence programs, and victim service providers and to support the organizations dedicated to the elimination of domestic violence.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Cullman to be affixed on this, the 30th day of September, 2019.
Woody Jacobs, Mayor
