The Federal Way City Council declared October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The council will announce a proclamation at its Oct. 18 meeting.

The city indicates one of the strongest ways to combat domestic violence is through Federal Way Revised Code 6.35.070 (3), which criminalizes domestic violence in the presence of children.

According to the city, Federal Way police responded to more than 2,000 domestic violence calls last year alone, which makes up a small percentage of the 50,000 annual domestic violence calls in Washington state annually. It is estimated that more than 70 percent of domestic violence incidents go unreported.

The Federal Way Domestic Violence Task Force meets once a month to work toward ending domestic violence. This group is comprised of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation officers, law enforcement officers, victim services providers, perpetrator treatment providers, survivors of domestic violence and various community members who simply want to help.

The Task Force is aimed at “promoting prevention, victim safety, and community awareness and abuser accountability,” according to the city.

Resources

• The 24-Hour Crisis Line: www.crisisclinic.org or (866) 427-4747

• Domestic Abuse Women’s Network: www.dawnonline.org or (800) 286-3296

• Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 562-6025.