Casper Mayor Proclaims Domestic Violence Awareness Month

City leaders gathered at the Hall of Justice to highlight resources and ongoing efforts to combat domestic abuse.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Casper Mayor Proclaims Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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Do you feel a personal responsibility to report domestic violence when you witness it locally?

Casper Mayor Ray Pacheco recently issued a proclamation designating October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The event emphasized the critical need for continued vigilance against domestic abuse within the local community.

Why it matters

Domestic abuse is frequently sustained through the systematic control of a victim's finances, housing, and social connections. Awareness initiatives aim to shed light on these coercive tactics and provide support to those affected.

Wyoming law mandates that a third domestic battery conviction within a 10-year period is prosecuted as a felony. Since 2011, state statute has also classified the strangulation of a household member as a felony offense.

The players

Ray Pacheco

Ray Pacheco is the Mayor of Casper who read the proclamation to raise awareness for victims of domestic abuse.

Dan Itzen

Dan Itzen is a career prosecutor who has served in the legal field for 26 years.

Leslie Fritzler

Leslie Fritzler has served with the Casper Police Department for 12 years.

Casper Police Department

The Casper Police Department is the municipal agency responsible for law enforcement and community safety in Casper, Wyoming.

The details

Abusers often maintain dependence by manipulating their partner's access to housing and financial resources. This control frequently extends to the victim's family, social circles, and digital communication on social media platforms.

The Wyoming legislature created a felony for strangulation in 2011.
October 2026 is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Community leaders gathered for the proclamation the week of October 17, 2026.

Legal Context

The proclamation reinforces the public awareness component of the legislative framework established by the 2011 Wyoming felony statute for strangulation. This effort tracks with broader state trends toward increasing penalties for repeat domestic offenders.

Residents are encouraged to utilize local support services if they or someone they know is experiencing domestic abuse. The proclamation highlights that identifying signs of coercive control is a vital step in community-wide prevention efforts.

The takeaway

Recognizing the subtle signs of financial and social control can help friends and family better support victims of domestic abuse. Community members should remain aware of local legal protections that escalate penalties for repeat offenders.