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Thurston County Board of Health proclaims October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Summary
The Thurston County Board of Health adopted a proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and heard remarks from the county prosecutor's office, Family Support Center, Safe Place Olympia and the Thurston County Sheriff's Office about services, case counts and prevention.
The Thurston County Board of Health on Oct. 14 unanimously adopted a proclamation designating October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Thurston County and invited local service providers and law enforcement to describe local needs and supports.
The proclamation recognizes the prosecutor's office and local partners for advocacy and services; it states that the Thurston County prosecuting attorney's office "has charged 568 domestic violence cases and provided advocacy to over 990 victims so far this year," and that Thurston County Sheriff's Office deputies "responded to 1,380 domestic violence 9-1-1 calls so far this year." The board also noted national pediatric guidance on impacts to children who witness intimate partner violence.
Jean Frost of Public Health introduced the item and invited speakers. Emily Lettigan of the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office told the board, "Domestic violence is not just a private issue. It affects every corner of our community," and described the office's work with law enforcement, victim advocates and community organizations to support victims and hold offenders accountable.
Dan Hillard, program manager for the Family Justice Center at the Family Support Center, said the proclamation "is more than a symbolic gesture" and described services his organization offers. He told the board the Family Support Center "served more than 1,000 survivors of domestic violence" in the last year and that staff provide advocacy, housing assistance, therapy, parenting support and safety planning.
Thurston County Sheriff Sanders acknowledged that law enforcement often responds after violence has occurred: "When we get involved, it's already too late," he said, adding that socioeconomic stressors often contribute to severe interpersonal violence. The sheriff announced a change to staffing beginning in January that will put two detectives with domestic violence expertise into patrol duties as first responders to domestic violence calls, with the aim of improving investigations and victim experience.
Kayla Emerson, prevention and outreach program manager at Safe Place Olympia, urged sustained attention and funding for survivors, noting that reported figures undercount incidents because they include only those cases reported to law enforcement. She said the organization has provided confidential shelter and advocacy services for decades and asked the community to support survivors year-round.
The board read and adopted the proclamation and invited the speakers to take a group photo in the lobby. No formal motions to appropriate funding or change programs were made during the proclamation.
Why it matters: Board members and local service providers highlighted both the scale of reported domestic violence in Thurston County this year and the breadth of community services that respond to survivors, while stressing prevention and system improvements.
Next steps: The proclamation asks residents to participate in education, advocacy and community service; service providers in the room left flyers about upcoming events and fundraisers for distribution.
