Official Statement of the Governor on Preventing Domestic Violence
Official Statement of the Governor on Preventing Domestic Violence
Montpelier, Vt. -- Governor Jim Douglas, Public Safety Commissioner Kerry Sleeper and Chani Waterhouse from the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence today held a press conference to discuss domestic violence prevention highlight available prevention resources.
Governor Douglas delivered the following remarks:
I want to begin today by reiterating Vermont's support for the victims, their families, the faculty and staff of Essex Elementary School and the communities of Essex and St. Albansthey are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Yesterday, I met Essex Police Chief David Demag at the scene to offer any and all resources the community needs to investigate and recover from this terrible tragedy.
The Agency of Human Services' crisis team is fully mobilized and, working closely with our community partners in Chittenden and Franklin counties, has dispatched a team of health professionals that is providing counseling and other public health services. We also have additional staff on standby if more public health or human service assistance is needed.
In addition, I ordered the Commissioner of Public Safety Kerry Sleeper to provide Essex with all the law enforcement and investigatory resources they need.
The Department of Health is also preparing resources that will be made available on their website suggesting how parents can discuss this incident with their children and highlighting resources to help communities cope with the tragedy. Vermonter's can access this material at www.healthvermont.gov
Yesterday's events highlight the serious and deadly nature of domestic violence.
All Vermonters should be aware that domestic violence is not a private matter between couples or within a family; it is a serious cause of injury and emotional trauma to many Vermonters; especially women and children.
As we were sadly reminded yesterday, domestic violence affects all of us: family, neighbors, friends, co-workers, and employers. We must also remind ourselves that each of us can contribute to the effort to eradicate domestic violence.
I want to emphasize: If you or someone else is the victim, or potential victim, of domestic violence, please call 9-1-1 or our toll free domestic violence hotline at 800-ABUSE-95, that's 800-228-7395. Our hotline is staffed by trained professionals, 24 hours a day, and seven days a week.
I encourage everyone interested in learning more about domestic violence and the steps that can be taken to prevent it to call the hotline as well. It's available as a resource for everyone: victims, potential victims, and concerned community members.
Please join me and the many professionals who are dedicated to preventing domestic violence in our Vermont communities by reporting potential acts of domestic violence BEFORE they are out of control.
The communities of Vermont are strong and resilient, capable of pulling through even the greatest of tragedies. The people of our state are prepared to, and will, provide the communities of Essex and St. Albans with whatever they need to heal. We must also recognize that domestic violence can be prevented and we all have a role to play in stopping it.
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