By Ted AYALA

Glendale City Council on Tuesday night presented to representatives of Glendale’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) a proclamation designating the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The CSW was established in August 2003. Its mission statement declares that the organization “[advances] social justice and equity [to] ensure equality of rights and opportunities for all women and girls in Glendale.”

Among the duties charged to the CSW are assessing and evaluating the needs and issues of women in the city, recommending programs or legislation to the city council to promote and ensure equal rights and opportunities to and for women in the city, and providing outreach information and education that empowers women to achieve self-sufficiency and self-esteem. It also works to increase the level of knowledge of the community of the status of women in Glendale.

“Domestic violence is a serious crime that affects over four million Americans of all races, genders, and income levels,” proclaimed mayor pro tem Ara J. Najarian. “[Children] who witness domestic violence are twice as more likely to abuse their partners and children.”

He also said that the proclamation, which was presented to representatives of the CSW by Councilmember Paula Devine, was an excellent opportunity for citizens to learn about domestic violence and the tools to cope with it.

Devine, a former member of the CSW, praised the work of CSW chair Denise Miller and Commissioner Lynda Burns for their work in the organization.

CSW representatives also took to the dais to announce a candlelight vigil to be held at the Glendale YMCA (140 N. Louise St., Glendale) on Oct. 23 at
5 p.m. to remember victims and survivors of domestic violence. The vigil is open to the public.

  Ted Ayala