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Boyle County proclaims October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month; county attorney's office to host community event Sept. 30
Summary
The court unanimously approved a proclamation designating October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Boyle County and heard from Ashley, a victim advocate with the county attorney's office, about a Sept. 30 community resource event and legal remedies including emergency protective orders.
The Boyle County Fiscal Court on Sept. 23 unanimously approved a proclamation designating October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Boyle County.
Judge-Executive Shirley L. Bottom read the proclamation, which cites the prevalence and long-term harms of domestic violence and recognizes local organizations, advocates and law enforcement for providing services and support. The proclamation calls on citizens to stand with survivors and promote safety, respect and dignity for all.
Ashley (last name not stated), a victim advocate in the Boyle County Attorney's Office who accepts the proclamation on behalf of local providers, told the court the office will host a community awareness event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Constitution Square. The event will feature resource tables from local providers, speakers including survivors, children's activities, food and a purple-lighting initiative; Lowe's donated purple bulbs for the effort. The office is partnering with local organizations described in the meeting as a violence resource center and Greenhouse 17 (names used in the discussion).
Why it matters: Domestic violence has criminal and civil components, and the court heard an extended description of civil emergency protective orders (EPOs). Ashley explained EPOs are civil orders that must be heard within 14 days of filing and can extend up to three years; violation of an EPO can lead to criminal charges. The court discussion noted that filing an EPO does not, by itself, create criminal charges but can become a criminal matter if violated.
Key details - Proclamation: "I, Shirley L. Bottom, judge-executive of the Boyle County Fiscal Court, do hereby proclaim October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Boyle County." The court approved the proclamation by voice vote. - Community event: Sept. 30, 5-7 p.m., Constitution Square; resource tables, speakers, children's activities, food trucks, and a purple-lighting initiative (Lowe's donated bulbs). The county attorney's office and local advocacy groups are partners. - Legal process: Ashley described EPOs as civil orders (must be heard in 14 days) that can be issued for up to three years and can lead to criminal charges if violated. - Local context: Magistrates and the judge-executive noted Kentucky's high domestic-violence statistics cited in the news and urged prompt reporting and intervention.
Voices - Ashley, Victim Advocate, Boyle County Attorney's Office: described resources, the Sept. 30 event, and the court-based domestic-violence docket; said the office has expanded domestic-violence court dockets due to caseload. - Judge-Executive Shirley L. Bottom: read the proclamation and encouraged public support.
Ending County leaders urged the public to attend next Tuesday's event and to use local resources. The court emphasized rapid reporting and intervention for domestic-violence situations and directed county staff to distribute information about local services.
