WHEREAS, domestic abuse and violence is a serious injustice that affects people and families of all races, ages, genders and income levels; and

WHEREAS, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men has experienced abuse and violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, and trans and gender non-binary people experience abuse from partners at disproportionate rates; and WHEREAS, each year, nearly half of all homicides in Maine are related to domestic abuse and violence; and WHEREAS, support and help is available 24/7 to anyone affected by domestic abuse in Maine through the programs of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence and the statewide domestic violence helpline; and WHEREAS, all Maine people have opportunities to support people experiencing abuse and violence, challenge the behavior of abusive people, and transform the belief systems that allow abuse to thrive; and WHEREAS, together, our individual actions are what will end domestic abuse; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim October 2024 as

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize this observance.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twenty fifth day of September Two Thousand Twenty-Four