BATAVIA, Ohio — The Clermont County Board of Commissioners has proclaimed October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, formally recognizing the work of local advocates and survivors who support people affected by abuse throughout the county.
Commissioners Bonnie Batchler, David Painter and Claire Corcoran signed the proclamation, which states that every person has the right to live free from violence, fear, intimidation and abuse. The board said the designation is meant to raise awareness, support survivors and connect individuals and families with available resources.
Stephanie Shoe of YWCA Greater Cincinnati accepted the proclamation on behalf of the organization, joined by representatives of Women Helping Women along with advocates and survivors, the county said in a Facebook post.
YWCA Greater Cincinnati operates the region’s only domestic violence shelter system, providing 24/7 crisis counseling, emergency shelter, safety planning and case management for survivors in Clermont, Hamilton, Adams and Brown counties, according to the organization. Its House of Peace shelter serves Clermont County specifically, and the YWCA’s crisis line can be reached at 513-872-9259.
Women Helping Women, founded in 1973, provides crisis intervention, court advocacy and support groups for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in the Cincinnati region. The organization also runs the Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team, which sends advocates to accompany law enforcement on domestic violence calls, and operates a 24-hour crisis hotline at 513-381-5610.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month traces back to the “Day of Unity” organized by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in October 1981 to connect advocates working to end violence against women and children. The first official Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed in October 1987, and Congress designated October as the national observance in 1989.
The commissioners said the county is committed to standing with survivors and with those working to build a safer, more compassionate community.
The information contained in this story was obtained from Clermont County.