Coffey County proclaims October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month after SOS presentation

Mary Halloran, an area advocate with SOS, told the Coffey County Commission that SOS provides crisis services, shelter and one‑on‑one advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking and asked the board to adopt a proclamation designating October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. "We do the one‑on‑one advocacy," Halloran said, and noted the organization serves several surrounding counties.

Theo Longguire, introduced as the county advocate who started July 1, described the local role he will play in helping residents access protection orders, court accompaniment and referral to community resources. "I started in Coffee County July 1," Longguire said. Halloran and Longguire told commissioners that SOS has a shelter in Emporia open to residents of Coffey and neighboring counties and emphasized that even when numbers look small—about 75 people served in the last year—those cases are life‑altering for the people involved.

The commission moved and seconded the proclamation at the request of the presenters; commissioners voted in favor and invited the SOS representatives to sign a copy. Commissioners and staff thanked the advocates and noted an upcoming SOS fundraiser on October 17.

The proclamation does not create funding commitments; commissioners approved the ceremonial designation and directed staff to provide a signed copy for SOS. The presentation included an explanation of available services, shelter location (Emporia) and ongoing outreach plans for rural counties.