The mayor and Birmingham City Council on Oct. 21 proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and heard from leaders of local domestic‑violence service providers about the continuing need for coordinated community response.

Mayor Randall Woodfin read a proclamation recognizing survivors and urging residents to learn signs of abuse and support local prevention and response programs. Council President Daryl O'Quinn and other members joined the presentation.

Rashida Workman, chief executive officer of YWCA Central Alabama, said the YWCA — a certified domestic violence provider serving Jefferson, St. Clair and Blount counties — has offered shelter, crisis intervention, legal advocacy and long‑term support and emphasized that the organization partners with the city on pathways to survivor independence.

Rebecca McWilliams, executive director of 1 Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center, told the council that domestic violence is a public‑health and public‑safety crisis and cited local data that “over 70 percent of known domestic violence or known homicide offenders in Jefferson County who have killed anybody have a history of domestic violence.” She urged coordinated services to help survivors escape and recover and to hold offenders accountable.

Officials urged continued cross‑sector cooperation — city agencies, nonprofits and criminal justice partners — to expand shelter, advocacy and prevention work. The council’s proclamation was entered into the record during the mayor’s report and presentations.