Today marks the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Pullman, as Mayor Glenn Johnson designated October last night during a meeting of the city council.

Johnson said it’s important that sexual and dating violence be recognized as significant problems within the community, emphasizing that one victim is one too many.

He then opened the floor to Emily McLarnan, the assistant director of Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse, who gave a brief address to the council.

“This past month a lot of attention has been paid to domestic violence, and we didn’t have to say a word,” McLarnan said, noting the recent exposure of domestic violence by NFL players, which has garnered nationwide attention.

According to the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, one in five women is sexually assaulted in college – most often by someone she knows.

WSU remains one of 76 higher education institutions nationwide under federal investigation for allegedly mishandling complaints of sexual assault.

At last night’s meeting, the council also approved the city’s purchase of a commercial building on North Grand Avenue.

Roy Pyle agreed to sell the building for $41,165.85 after years of unsuccessful negotiations. The two-story block building housed his business, R. O. Pyle Roofing and Insulation.

“We’ve had sporadic negotiations to buy that building, but until now we’ve been unable to come to an agreement,” City Supervisor Mark Workman said.

The city will pay Pyle $21,165.85 this year and the remaining $20,000 in January 2015. The city plans to demolish the building in 2015.