City of Jackson observing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

JACKSON, TN (WNBJ) - October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This month is a time spent acknowledging and being a voice for those survivors. The W.R.A.P. agency in Madison County is a hub of resources for those survivors.

“The national statistics show that one in four women and one in seven men will experience some form of domestic violence in their lifetime,” said Jenci Spradlin, the Domestic Violence Program Manager with the Jackson-Madison Co. W.R.A.P.

Those stats revealing domestic violence is a very common occurrence for both women and men across the country.

Spradlin with the Women’s, Resource and Rape Assistance Program, also known as W.R.A.P. says domestic violence can be categorized as many things.

“Not just physical, it could be emotional abuse, verbal abuse, financial abuse, harassment, coercion, making threats and confinement. It can encompass a lot of things,” said Spradlin.

This morning, the City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger presented a proclamation to W.R.A.P. and the Safe Hope Center recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month and its survivors.

“So, by them stepping forward and proclaiming the month as domestic violence awareness month they are also proclaiming to the community they serve that it is really important that we support survivors. That we acknowledge that it is a lot of challenges. That we can work together to make sure that survivors have safe, stable nurturing relationships and families, which will better our entire community,” said Spradlin.

Mayor Conger read that proclamation at the city council meeting and it said in part.

“Whereas families are indispensable to a stable society and should be a place of support to instill responsibility and values in the next generation. Whereas domestic violence is widespread and devastating to society as a whole, but particularly to women and children. Our community has a civic and moral obligation to work to prevent domestic violence and to address its brutal and destructive effects and to make ending domestic violence a community priority,” said Mayor Scott Conger with the city of Jackson.

Anyone suffering from domestic violence is urged to call W.R.A.P.’s 24/7 hotline at 800 -273-8712 or visit their website at wraptn.org.