10/30/2026
Yesterday, our community's candlelight ceremony for Domestic Violence Awareness Month was a powerful reminder of our shared mission: to honor the lives lost and stand firm with survivors. The moving testimonies shared during the program highlight the reality of what victims endure, while the candles we light represent hope and a commitment to healing.
Blount County's strength lies in collaboration. The unique partnership among our courts, Judges, District Attorney’s office, Public Defender’s office, law enforcement, and local advocates is built to provide wrap around support and give stability back to survivors.
We are incredibly grateful for Haven House Director Melina Politte and her staff, who have provided vital support and empowerment to victims for over 44 years. With 1 in 4 Blount Countians impacted by domestic violence, increasing awareness and recognizing the signs is more important than ever. Formally united by a Joint Proclamation from Blount County, the City of Alcoa, and the City of Maryville, we stand together to bring awareness and ask our community to join the efforts to end domestic violence in our community and beyond.
**PROCLAMATION**
WHEREAS, The month of October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, providing us with the opportunity to advocate for further training and education to the community, as well as showing victims that there are people in their community who support them and want to help them. They do not have to go through this alone; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior by a partner or relative to gain or maintain power and control in a relationship. Abusive behavior includes one or more of the following: physical, s*xual, emotional, economic, psychological, and technological abuse through threats and actions; and
WHEREAS, Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence regardless of age, gender, race, s*xual orientation, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or religion. Blount County has hundreds of victims of domestic violence who need assistance and resources to leave their situations behind; and
WHEREAS, Blount County is fortunate to have collaboration between nonprofits, law enforcement, and community support to help people who are victims of domestic violence. Specifically, Haven House provides shelter, support, empowerment, and advocacy, including courtroom services and support groups, to every victim that reaches out; and
WHEREAS, Haven House is the only domestic violence shelter and services provider in Blount County, serving the community since 1982, with all services provided at no cost to survivors. During the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year, Haven House served 1,010 individuals across hotline, shelter, and outreach programs. Over 90% of those served were women and girls. Haven House provided emergency shelter to 34 women and 38 children and supported 259 outreach clients, including 227 through court advocacy. They answered 1,280 calls on their 24-hour crisis hotline. During this time, Haven House also delivered 9,166 services, including 2,273 individual counseling sessions, 1,019 safety planning services, and 406 services related to Orders of Protection. 82.4% of women in shelter obtained safe permanent or transitional housing. 73.5% of women in shelter maintained or obtained employment during their stay. Haven House shared domestic violence education through 14 community presentations reaching 254 people; and
WHEREAS, In 2025, Blount County Sheriff’s Office investigators reviewed and worked on 558 domestic violence cases. The Alcoa Police Department reported 72 domestic violence victims; and the City of Maryville reported 224 domestic violence victims.
WHEREAS, According to the 2025 TBI Crime in Tennessee Report, 58,487 domestic violence victims were reported in the state last year. OCJP funds domestic violence services through 103 grants across Tennessee, which served over 13,000 survivors in Fiscal Year 2026. In TBI’s most recent detailed domestic violence report, women made up 70.79% of victims whose s*x was known, more than double the share of men. According to TBI’s 2024 Crime in Tennessee report, 82 people were murdered in a domestic violence incident in Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, Nationally, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner, and almost 1 in 2 women and more than 2 in 5 men have experienced s*xual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, TANYA MARTIN, JARED ANDERSON, AND ANDY WHITE, respective Mayors of the City of Alcoa, Blount County, and the City of Maryville do hereby proclaim the month of October 2026 as DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH and urge all Blount County citizens and organizations to join us in advocating for victims, increasing awareness, becoming involved with advocacy agencies, and doing our part to end domestic violence in our community and beyond.
