The Columbia County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday adopted a proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and publicized a county March scheduled for Oct. 18 at McCormick Park in St. Helens.

A proclamation read at the meeting described domestic violence as “a serious crime that affects people of all races, ages, gender identities, socioeconomic levels, religions, backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities” and cited national statistics included in the proclamation text. The board approved the proclamation by voice vote.

Erin, a local advocate who attended the meeting, invited the public to the march and said it will feature survivors’ speakers and family members who lost loved ones to domestic violence. “There’s gonna be 2 survivors that speak and then family members who have lost a loved one to domestic violence,” Erin said. “It would just be great to see a good turnout.”

Meeting materials and comments indicated the march will begin at 10 a.m. at McCormick Park and proceed to the library; participants were asked to wear purple to show support.

The proclamation and the planned march are intended to raise awareness, support survivors and highlight local services; no budgetary actions were recorded at the meeting in connection with the proclamation.