On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Mayor Woody Jacobs recently proclaimed the month of October 2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in the City of Cullman. Several agencies were represented at the proclamation presentation at City Hall including Victim Services of Cullman, Inc., (VSOC), the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office, and the Cullman Police Department (CPD).

Domestic violence is a national health problem affecting more than 12 million people in the United States each year with an average of 24 people per minute being victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner. But domestic violence can be prevented! Prevention requires the collective voice and power of individuals, families, institutions, and systems – each able to add a valuable and powerful component to transforming our communities.

“I am proud to once again proclaim October ‘Domestic Violence Awareness Month’ in Cullman,” said Mayor Jacobs. “It is important to educate the public on how to recognize and prevent domestic violence and to support organizations that assist those affected by domestic violence in our community.”

The #DVAM2025 theme is: With Survivors, Always | Con sobrevivientes. Siempre. This theme emphasizes that survivors need:

  • Safety: Survivors deserve physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial safety. They have a right to live in homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and institutions that are free of violence.
  • Support: Living through and healing from trauma can be a lifelong journey. Survivors are deserving of support and care at all stages of their lives.
  • Solidarity: Nobody should have to stand alone in the face of hardship. Community connectedness is critical to effective advocacy.

In the U.S., domestic violence is a serious and widespread problem. Victims of domestic violence often need things like emergency shelter, housing, counseling, transportation, childcare, legal representation and more. Victim Services of Cullman, Inc., (VSOC) was established in 1991 to help victims of domestic violence. Over the years, the agency has expanded to provide comprehensive services (including shelter, crisis response, education, and advocacy) for those impacted by domestic and sexual violence in Cullman and Winston Counties. Their stated goal is “to empower survivors and help them rebuild their lives, free from violence and fear.”

“The City appreciates all of those in our community – Victim Services personnel, law enforcement and court officials, and countless others – who educate our community about domestic violence and provide services for survivors,” said Mayor Jacobs.

In 1989, Congress declared the month of October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Each October across the United States, organizations and individuals unite to help uplift the needs, voices, and experiences of domestic violence survivors and to spread awareness about what everyone can do to help end domestic violence. As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) each year, people are also encouraged to mourn the loss of those lives ended by domestic violence, celebrate the tremendous progress victim advocates have made over the years, and connect with one another with a true sense of unity to end domestic violence.

To find out more about Victim Services of Cullman, Inc. (VSOC), visit www.victimservices.online or call the administrative office at 256-775-2600.

To learn more about the Domestic Violence Awareness Project, visit www.dvawareness.org.

FOR THOSE CURRENTLY IN A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATION:

Call Victim Services of Cullman’s 24-Hour Crisis Line at 256-734-6100.

Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline:

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Photo, L-R: Jeff Lawson (CPD Community Relations), District Attorney Champ Crocker, Police Chief Joey Duncan, Mayor Jacobs, Jessica Atchley (VSOC Executive Director), Lacey Lemley (VSOC Child & Family Services Coordinator), Sabrina Garrison (VSOC Associate Director), Lindsey Smith (VSOC Client Services Coordinator), Assistant Police Chief Brandon Patterson, and Adam Clark (CPD Community Relations)