BILL NUMBER: ACR 82	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	ADOPTED IN SENATE  SEPTEMBER 8, 2011
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 6, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Mitchell
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Achadjian, Alejo, Allen, Ammiano,
Atkins, Beall, Bill Berryhill, Block, Bonilla, Bradford, Brownley,
Buchanan, Butler, Charles Calderon, Campos, Carter, Cedillo, Chesbro,
Cook, Davis, Dickinson, Eng, Feuer, Fong, Fuentes, Furutani, Beth
Gaines, Garrick, Gatto, Gordon, Grove, Hagman, Halderman, Harkey,
Roger Hernández, Hill, Huber, Hueso, Huffman, Jeffries, Jones, Lara,
Bonnie Lowenthal, Ma, Mansoor, Miller, Monning, Morrell, Nestande,
Nielsen, Olsen, Pan, Perea, John A. Pérez, V. Manuel Pérez,
Portantino, Silva, Skinner, Swanson, Torres, Valadao, Wagner,
Wieckowski, Williams, and Yamada)

                        AUGUST 24, 2011

   Relative to domestic violence.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 82, Mitchell. Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
   This measure would recognize October 2011 as Domestic Violence
Awareness Month and urge all Californians to take a stand against
domestic violence.



   WHEREAS, Domestic violence affects millions of Americans each year
without regard to ethnicity, age, race, sexual orientation or
socioeconomic status; and
   WHEREAS, The crime of domestic violence violates an individual's
rights, privacy, dignity, and security, causing immense physical and
emotional pain. This devastating cycle of abuse has a direct impact
not only on the victim but is also a public safety issue and affects
everyone around the victim. In particular, children who witness
violence in the home can suffer from the same social, psychological,
and emotional trauma as an abused individual; and
   WHEREAS, Although domestic abuse is often hidden behind closed
doors, it is one of the most prevalent crimes in the United States.
One in four women has been abused, many of whom are our loved ones,
neighbors, and coworkers; and
   WHEREAS, Domestic violence comes in many forms, both physical and
psychological, but regardless of the type of abuse or the severity,
domestic violence is always a choice an abuser makes; and
   WHEREAS, California is dedicated to providing educational programs
that promote awareness and teach youths about healthy relationships;
and
   WHEREAS, Our state is taking steps to hold offenders accountable
and offer more support for victims, and the Legislature has enacted
numerous laws that increase batterer accountability and increase
victim safety; and
   WHEREAS, Throughout our state, there are many organizations that
give safe shelter to victims and their children in a time of need,
demonstrating their commitment to helping victims of domestic
violence by providing counseling services, crisis hotlines, and legal
advocacy; and
   WHEREAS, In 2010, 84 percent of these organizations reported an
increase in the demand for services, while in that same period, 88
percent of these organizations reported a decrease in funding, and as
a result, fewer victims can be served. For example, in a survey
conducted in a 24-hour period in California, domestic violence
agencies were able to serve 5,261 victims, however, 614 victims had
to be turned away, due to a lack of resources; and
   WHEREAS, The State of California is committed to ending intimate
partner violence; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That October 2011 is Domestic Violence Awareness
Month; and be it further
   Resolved, That during the month of October, all Californians are
urged to take a stand against domestic violence, by raising awareness
about this issue and the resources available to victims seeking to
escape abuse, in order to break the cycle of violence and save
countless lives; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.