For Immediate Release
October 12, 2018
Contact: Cynthia Santana, Communications Manager, 206-256-5219
The Office of Labor Standards and the Human Services Department Honor Victims and Survivors of Abuse
Seattle – (October 12, 2018) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan proclaimed the month of October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” to raise public awareness and action about abuse. The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) and the Human Services Department (HSD) mark this month as a time to remember victims and survivors of abuse and exploitation; to raise awareness of violence and its effect on families and communities; and acknowledge and highlight those working to address ending gender-based violence.
Join us in honoring the victims and survivors of domestic violence and spread the word about protections for Seattle workers and families. Help raise awareness by wearing purple every Thursday. Also, during DV Awareness Month, Seattle City Hall lights will be purple, and the Great Wheel will change to purple every “Purple Thursday”.
Nationally, women lose 8 million days of paid work annually due to domestic violence. Seattle’s Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance provides more than paid sick leave. It also provides Seattle workers with paid leave for absences for critical safety issues arising from the following:
- Domestic violence
- Sexual assault
- Stalking
The Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the Human Services Department has assisted nearly 3,000 individuals and families in 2018 through a Seattle funded network of providers. Those providers work together to deliver wrap-around services for survivors and their families including advocacy, counseling, therapeutic services, housing/shelter, legal assistance and representation, and systems enhancement. In addition, some individuals participate in committees such as Access to Advocacy, Coordinated Effort Against Sexual Exploitation (CEASE), Criminal Justice Committee, Domestic Violence Prevention Council (DVPC), and Domestic Violence Intervention Project (DVIP), which convene regularly to assess, identify, and address systems needs and gaps, and to ensure that the Seattle’s response is seamless.
Please visit the OLS website for more information on the PSST Ordinance or call 206-256-5297. And, visit the Seattle Department of Human Services for more on supportive victim services.
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