WHEREAS, violence against women and children continues to become more prevalent as a social problem due to the imbalance of power due to gender and age; and  

WHEREAS, the problems of domestic violence are not confined to any group or groups of people but cross all economic, racial, affectional preference, and societal barriers; this supported by societal indifference; and

WHEREAS, the crime of domestic violence violates an individual’s privacy, dignity, security, and humanity, due to systematic use of physical, emotional, sexual, psychological and economic control and/or abuse; and

WHEREAS, the impact of domestic violence is wide ranging, directly affecting women and children and society as a whole; and

WHEREAS, it is battered women themselves who have been in the forefront of efforts to bring peace and equality to the home;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim October, 2008 as,

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH