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A resolution recognizing the work of Interpersonal Violence Advocates who provide crisis advocacy and support to victims of interpersonal violence in Nashville and Davidson County and declaring the last Monday in April of each year as Interpersonal Violence Advocate Appreciation Day.
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WHEREAS, Interpersonal Violence (IPV) advocates work tirelessly each year to provide crisis advocacy and support to victims of interpersonal violence. IPV advocates include hotline and emergency call-takers, victim witness coordinators, case managers, court and community-based advocates, and those that assist with resulting grief and trauma. All professions who in their work with victims of interpersonal violence experience vicarious trauma in the work they do; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older -- about 1 in 4 adults -- suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder each year. Every year, more than 4 million referrals are made to child protection agencies involving more than 4.3 million children. 1 in 6 women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. 1 in 33 of men have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. Domestic violence affects an estimated 10 million people every year; as many as one in four women and one in nine men are victims of domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, interpersonal violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. It includes, intimate partner violence, child abuse, elder abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, and stalking; and
WHEREAS, the consequences of experiencing interpersonal violence are pervasive and enduring. Evidence confirms that exposure to violence increases the risks of injuries, infectious diseases, mental health problems, reproductive health problems, and noncommunicable diseases, loss of income and personal autonomy; and
WHEREAS, the job of IPV Advocates is to provide crisis services to help victims of violence and trauma navigate the overwhelming journey towards physical and emotional safety, healing, and renewed hope; and
WHEREAS, due to the traumatic nature of this work, these IPV Advocates often experience a unique occupational challenge called vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue; and
WHEREAS, vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue are often experienced by Crisis Advocates from witnessing the pain, fear, grief and terror that trauma survivors have endured or are enduring. As a result, these helping professionals can experience fearfulness, sleep loss, intrusive thoughts, worries, nightmares, diminished joy, and hopelessness in their own lives; and
WHEREAS, 50% of crisis response professionals experience severe traumatic stress, 34% meet PTSD diagnostic criteria from this secondary trauma exposure, and 37% experience clinical levels of emotional distress associated with compassion fatigue; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government recognizes that the chronic exposure to the trauma of others is an occupational challenge for these IPV Advocates and values the importance of trauma-informed work environments through policies, procedures, practices, programs, funding, and work culture; and
WHEREAS, a day of appreciation is warranted to bring attention to the exemplary work of these IVP Advocates; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council establishes the last Monday in April of each year as Interpersonal Violence Advocate Appreciation Day as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights week and urges all citizens of Nashville to support local efforts to assist victims 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 the last Monday in April of each year as Interpersonal Violence Advocate Appreciation Day, with the first Interpersonal Violence Advocate Appreciation Day being April 25, 2022.
Section 2. The Metropolitan Council is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to the Metropolitan Government Office of Family Safety, MNPD Family Intervention Program, and Department of Emergency Communications, and the District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Coordinator Team.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.