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A resolution recognizing October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Nashville and Davidson County.
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WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (“DVAM”) evolved from the National Day of Unity held in October 1981 organized by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Congress declared the month of October as DVAM in 1989; and
WHEREAS, the theme for DVAM 2026 is “With Survivors, Always” encouraging people to partner with survivors towards safety, support, and solidarity; and
WHEREAS, according to the CDC, more than one in three women and one in six men experienced some form of violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, 40 percent of all crimes against persons in Nashville were domestic violence offenses; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2025 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Crime in Tennessee Report, nearly 60,000 domestic violence victims were reported in the state; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, Nashville opened the Office of Family Safety to directly address domestic violence in Nashville and Davidson County; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness month and acknowledges that this month is a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues in order to raise awareness for those issues; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council urges all Nashville and Davidson County residents to move beyond awareness to action by supporting local efforts to assist victims of these crimes in finding the safety, help, and healing they need.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Nashville and Davidson County.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the public requiring it.