Proclamation Issued In New Canaan On Ending Domestic Violence

Town of New Canaan: First Selectman, Kevin J. Moynihan joined Dede Bartlett, the co-chair of the New Canaan Domestic Violence Partnership and High School Principal, Bill Egan in front of the high school this morning to read the following proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence and Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month:

WHEREAS, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of a severe form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime

WHEREAS, Among high school students who dated, 21% of females and 10% of males experienced physical and/or sexual dating violence.

WHEREAS, One in four teens in a relationship say they have been called names, harassed or put down by their partner through cell phones and texting.

WHEREAS, Teen victims of physical dating violence are more likely than their non-abused peers to smoke, use drugs, engage in unhealthy diet behaviors, engage in risky sexual behaviors and attempt or consider suicide.

WHEREAS, I support making New Canaan a Zero Tolerance Community. I will continue to vigorously support those who are working towards “Breaking the Cycle” of domestic violence and give priority to domestic violence awareness education and intervention programs in our community;

THEREFORE, I, Kevin J. Moynihan, First Selectman, proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the Town of New Canaan.

Below is the text of a press release about Domestic Violence and Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month from New Canaan Public Schools:

Over one hundred New Canaan High School students joined district and town officials and community members this morning in a proclamation ceremony held at the high school recognizing October as Domestic Violence and Teen Dating Violence Month in the Town of New Canaan.

First Selectman Kevin Moynihan read the proclamation that stated that one in four women and one in seven men have been victims of a severe form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. Also, among high school students who dated, 21 percent of females and 10 percent of males experienced physical and/or sexual dating violence.

“I support making New Canaan a Zero Tolerance Community,” said Mr. Moynihan, reading the proclamation. “I will continue to vigorously support those who are working towards ‘Breaking the Cycle’ of domestic violence and give priority to domestic violence awareness education and intervention programs in our community.”

Other speakers at the podium this morning included Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi, NCHS Principal Bill Egan, and Dede Bartlett, co-chair of the New Canaan Domestic Violence Partnership.

“What we’re talking about in New Canaan is also being talked about today in Darien, in Westport, in Wilton, in Weston, in Stamford, and in Norwalk,” said Dede Bartlett. “The idea is to raise awareness and create a very important resonance about how serious this issue is. You and your
friends can make a difference in making this world a better place.”

“This is such an important topic, that we need to talk about it,” said Dr. Luizzi, “as a community, as a school, as a society. By supporting each other through difficult times, we can get through it.”

Others in attendance included Suzanne Adam, President of the Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC), whose mission is to provide effective services, support and education for the prevention and elimination of domestic violence across Connecticut and beyond. Ms. Adams shared
local and national hotline phone numbers for those in need: The 24 hour hotline: (203) 588-9096; Spanish hotline: (203) 663-6641; National hotline: (888) 774-2900; Information on DVCC is available at www.dvccct.org