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Counselor Eric Van Buren, on behalf of Oswego Mayor Tom Gillen recently presented Christine Gill of Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) Services to Aid Families (SAF) program, the domestic violence and rape crisis program serving Oswego County, with a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Oswego. The staff of SAF is working to raise awareness of the epidemic of domestic violence in our communities. SAF served more than 600 victims and survivors last year and answered more than 6,400 calls to the Crisis Hotline in 2014.
“We acknowledge that awareness and education are critical components of prevention and therefore strive to increase the public’s knowledge of domestic violence by collaborating on initiatives such as the ‘Silent Witness and Survivor Flag Display’ on East First Street,” stated Mayor Gillen. “The display shows that this city supports victims of domestic violence and sends a loud and clear message to abusers that domestic violence is not acceptable.”
“We appreciate the city’s recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in particular, the support we are receiving from the Oswego Police Department,” said SAF Educator / Trainer Sara Gozzi. “All of the department’s patrol vehicles are displaying purple ribbon decals that say ‘End Domestic Violence’. A large percentage of the 911 calls that the police respond to are due to domestic violence. In order to have a coordinated community response to domestic violence we have to have the support of law enforcement and OPD is a great community partner.”
If you or someone you know is a survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence or stalking, please call our Crisis Hotline at (315) 342-1600. OCO is a private, non-profit agency that has been supporting communities throughout Oswego County since 1966. A member agency of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, OCO provides more than 50 vital services throughout 80 separate locations. For more information, visit www.oco.org.
