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City of Springfield holds Flag Raising Ceremony for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

|   City News

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, City Councilor Kateri Walsh and the Springfield Women’s Commission held a special flag raising ceremony for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Friday, October 7, 2022, on the front steps of City Hall. Mayor Sarno presented a proclamation declaring the month of October 2022 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the city of Springfield.

Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris; State Representatives Bud Williams and Orlando Ramos; City Council President Jesse Lederman and Councilors Maria Perez, Zaida Govan and Lavar Click-Bruce; Attorney Elizabeth Dineen, CEO for the YWCA of Western Massachusetts; SPD Senior domestic violence advocate Jennifer Rivera, SPD SVU detective Denise Toledo, and representatives from District Attorney Anthony Gulluni’s Officce, the Springfield Police Department Metro Unit, Women on the Vanguard, Inc.; and family, friends and supports of domestic violence were also in attendance.

State Representative Williams presented a proclamation from the state House of Representatives and City Council President Lederman brought greetings on behalf of the City Council. 

Mayor Sarno states, “Domestic Violence is a serious and important issue.  My administration is proud to stand together with Councilor Kateri Walsh and our Women’s Commission to help raising awareness to this important issue.  Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence.  Our Springfield Police Department respond to more than 10,000 calls for domestic violence each year.  Under Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood leadership our Springfield Police Department maintain a dedicated staff of domestic violence advocates to provide help and support to victims.  We want to encourage anyone who may be a victim or think they are a victim of domestic violence to call our advocates at (413) 735-1519 or (413) 735-1520.”

Of note, on March 3, 2012, Jessica Rojas, a city employee, was a victim of domestic violence.  On the night of her 25th birthday, she was murdered by her then boyfriend.  Earlier this year on Saturday, March 5, 2022, Mayor Sarno, Police Superintendent Clapprood and family and friends held a car parade to honor, mourn and celebrate the life of Ms. Rojas and to spread awareness to domestic violence and share the resources that are available.

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Page last updated:  Tuesday, March 1, 2022 01:32 pm