CLEARLAKE — Rae Eby-Carl, senior deputy director of Lake Family Resource Center (LFRC), accepted a proclamation from the City of Clearlake and Mayor Judy Thein last week designating the month of October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in Clearlake.
LFRC will conclude the commemoration of Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a “Clothesline” event to bear witness to the continuing violence against women and children. The event will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at the LFRC in Kelseyville.
In preparation of the closing event, free workshops co-sponsored by Big Valley Rancheria Domestic Violence Prevention and Recovery Services are being offered. The first T-shirt workshop was held Tuesday evening in Lakeport. Another workshop will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday in Clearlake at 14571 Olympic Drive.
T-shirts and all materials for decorating for display are provided free of charge. Those desiring to do so may add a special item to their artistic presentation for display. Each T-shirt is meant to represent a particular woman”s experience.
The proclamation presented by the City of Clearlake reads as follow:
“WHEREAS, Domestic Violence impacts women, children and men of all racial, cultural and economic backgrounds; and
“WHEREAS, emotional and physical scars resulting from Domestic Violence are often severe and long lasting; and
“WHEREAS, in 2009, Lake County Law Enforcement responded to over 500 incidents of Domestic Violence, including men, women, and children, and in the past 12 months the Victim Witness Division of the District Attorney”s office served 450 victims of Domestic Violence including children, and the District Attorney”s office prosecuted 67 Felonies and 181 Misdemeanor acts of Domestic Violence, and in 2009, Lake Family Resource Center responded to 316 crisis line calls, served over 350 victims, and additionally sheltered 156 women, three men and 92 children; and
“WHEREAS, it is crucially important to hold perpetrators responsible for assault and to prevent Domestic Violence at every opportunity; and
“WHEREAS, family violence is a community problem, stopping the cycle requires not only the strength and courage of survivors, but also the support and involvement of all members of the community; and
“WHEREAS, many organizations such as the District Attorney”s Office, Sheriff”s Office, Lakeport Police Department, Clearlake Police Department, and Lake Family Resource Center are committed to ending Domestic Violence in Lake County and provide essential crisis intervention and prevention services to all members of our community.
“NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Clearlake hereby proclaims October 2010 ?Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in the City of Clearlake and our community is urged to support the efforts of the agencies assisting victims of domestic violence and to increase their involvement in efforts to prevent domestic violence, thereby strengthening our community and creating an environment which honors, nurtures, and protects all members of every family.”
Rae-Eby said that LFRC provides a multitude of services to build family stability and strength. The agency supports Lake County residents in achieving stable, self-sufficient, and healthy families and communities. For more information regarding services or any of the upcoming events, please call 279-0563.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
