OKEECHOBEE – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Okeechobee County. At their Oct. 23 meeting, Okeechobee County Commissioners presented the proclamation to representatives of Martha’s House.

The proclamation states: “Domestic violence is a crime that threatens the safety and lives of hundreds of residents of Okeechobee every year, including vulnerable children and is a pattern of behaviors that individuals use against their intimate partners or former partners to establish power and control.

“Domestic violence is a public health issue impacting, families, friends, neighbors, coworkers, employees, and schools, causing harm physically, emotionally, psychologically.

“While the State of Florida is recognized nationally as a leader in the creation of groundbreaking domestic violence programs, Domestic Violence remains a serious threat to our civilized society with over 200 Floridians murdered last year.

“In the past year Martha’s House, certified domestic violence center advocates provided emergency shelter to over 335 survivors of domestic violence and their children, totaling over 4,345 nights in shelter, distributed 629 safety plans and responded to 838 hotline calls, and collaborations between state and private agencies, law enforcement and courts, faith based communities and educational institutions all work together to provide services for survivors and prevent acts of intimate partner violence and to hold perpetrators accountable.”