People should be able to count on the home as a place of warmth, love and security.

However, that is not always the case, even here in Fountain Hills families face fear as victims of domestic violence.

In a proclamation before the Town Council Oct. 1, Mayor Linda Kavanagh declared October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in keeping with the efforts of Governor Doug Ducey on a statewide level.

Based on a review of incidents reported to The Times by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to 26 incidents related to domestic violence between January and the end of June, roughly one each week.

Such incidents involved spouses, significant others, siblings, children and parents. In many cases alcohol is a contributing factor. All ages and gender count as the victims.

In her proclamation Kavanagh noted that physical injury and even deaths occur from domestic violence. Emotional scars are often permanent.

“Law enforcement officials, shelters, hotline services, healthcare providers, clergy and concerned citizens are helping in the effort to end domestic violence,” Kavanagh said.

“We must recognize the compassion and dedication of these volunteers and professionals, applaud their efforts and increase public understanding of this important problem.”

Ongoing efforts

Councilman Cecil Yates is currently serving as a member of a domestic violence subcommittee for the Maricopa Association of Governments.

Yates said the MAG committee is focused on three key areas related to the issue of domestic violence.

These include helping law enforcement and municipalities with transfers of cases between government entities, prevention efforts with an emphasis on “healthy dating and relationships in high school” (Bloom 365 http://www.gopurple.org) and committee goal setting and analysis.

The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence has a web site dedicated to providing information on resources available to victims (www.acesdv.org).

Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first observed in 1987 by honoring victims, survivors and their families.

One in four women and one in seven men has been a victim of severe physical domestic violence. It touches everyone and is preventable.

Domestic violence is not limited to heterosexual couples; 43 percent of lesbian women and 26 percent of gay men have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Many women and their children enter a domestic violence shelter with minimal possessions.

Officials urge those who want to help to contact local shelter services to find out their needs and how to donate clothing, toiletries and other necessities.

Support of the public is crucial to keeping the doors of shelters open and services available. People may donate to acesdv or a local shelter (www.acesdv.org).

In one day in Arizona during 2014, due to a lack of resources, there were 171 unmet requests for domestic violence services, 154 of those for safe housing.

In 2014 there were at least 109 domestic violence related fatalities in Arizona. Almost one third of female homicide victims that re reported in police records are killed by an intimate partner.

Thursday, Oct. 15, is “Wear Purple Day” in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Kavanagh said she was pleased that at the Oct. 1 council meeting council members and staff were wearing purple. She noted that was a suggestion from Ducey’s office that everyone participate.

She is hoping for purple participation from citizens Thursday, as well as those seeking to volunteer their time or resources to address the domestic violence issue.