SCR 68, as introduced, Lieu. Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
This bill would recognize October of each year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Fiscal committee: no.
P1 1WHEREAS, President Obama declared October 2012 as
2National Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and
3WHEREAS, President Obama called on all Americans to
4“promote healthy relationships, speak out when we see injustice
5in our communities, stand with survivors we know, and change
6attitudes that perpetuate the cycle of abuse”; and
7WHEREAS, Although progress has been made toward breaking
8the cycle of violence, much work remains to be done; and
9WHEREAS, Domestic violence programs in California provide
10essential, lifesaving services for victims and their children fleeing
11violence; and
12WHEREAS, Advocates and organizations work on behalf of
13victims every day. Domestic violence shelters and services, law
14enforcement officials, health care providers, and others are all
P2 1integral parts of the effort to end domestic violence and must be
2recognized and applauded for their work; and
3WHEREAS, There is a need to increase the public awareness
4and understanding of domestic violence and the needs of victims;
5and
6WHEREAS, Domestic violence affects women, men, and
7children of all racial, social, religious, ethnic, and economic groups
8in the United States and here in California; and
9WHEREAS, All victims deserve access to programs and services
10to increase their safety; and
11WHEREAS, Approximately 40 percent of California women
12experience physical intimate partner violence in their lifetimes;
13and
14WHEREAS, Women 18 to 24 years of age are significantly
15more likely to be victims of physical intimate partner violence
16than women in other age groups; and
17WHEREAS, California law enforcement agencies received
18158,547 domestic violence-related calls in 2011; and
19WHEREAS, There were 147 domestic violence related
20homicides in California in 2011, of which 129 fatalities were
21female and 18 were male; and
22WHEREAS, Children exposed to domestic violence can
23experience long-term consequences, including difficulty at school,
24substance abuse, and serious adult health problems; and
25WHEREAS, The Legislature recognizes the vital role that all
26Californians can play in preventing, and one day ending, domestic
27violence; now, therefore, be it
28Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
29thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes October 2013,
30and each following October, as National Domestic Violence
31Awareness Month; and be it further
32Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
33this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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