Mayor Fournier proclaims October Domestic Violence Awareness Month; Partners for Peace urges community support

Mayor Richard Fournier on Oct. 15 proclaimed October Domestic Violence Awareness Month for the City of Bangor and urged residents to support survivors and local response efforts.

The proclamation cited the widespread community impact of domestic violence and called for coordinated community-based responses involving law enforcement, courts, advocacy programs, social service agencies, schools, health-care professionals, employers and municipalities.

Amanda Cost, executive director of Partners for Peace, the domestic-violence advocacy organization serving Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, thanked the council and summarized the organization's work. "Each year, we serve approximately 1,600 people through our 24-hour helpline, emergency shelter, support groups, legal advocacy program, transitional housing outreach, and in general advocacy," Cost said.

Cost described Domestic Violence Awareness Month as a time to "amplify the voices and experiences of survivors" and highlighted local events: a "Wear Purple" day the following day and an annual march to end domestic violence on Oct. 17 at the University of Maine, open to the public.

Mayor Fournier offered personal remarks during the proclamation and noted the local and economic impacts of domestic violence, calling for community involvement and support for advocacy programs such as Partners for Peace.

For residents: Partners for Peace operates a 24/7 helpline and provides shelter, legal advocacy and other services in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties; details and event information are available on the organization's website.