[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 421 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 421
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness
Month.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 18, 2021
Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Ernst, Mr.
Leahy, and Mr. Grassley) submitted the following resolution; which was
considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness
Month.
Whereas, according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey--
(1) up to 12,000,000 individuals in the United States report
experiencing intimate partner violence annually, including physical
violence, rape, or stalking; and
(2) approximately 1 in 5 women in the United States and up to 1 in 7
men in the United States have experienced severe physical violence by an
intimate partner at some point in their lifetimes;
Whereas, on average, 3 women in the United States are killed each day by a
current or former intimate partner, according to the Bureau of Justice
Statistics;
Whereas domestic violence can affect anyone, but women who are 18 to 34 years of
age typically experience the highest rates of domestic violence;
Whereas survivors of domestic violence are strong, courageous, and resilient;
Whereas most female victims of intimate partner violence have been victimized by
the same offender previously;
Whereas domestic violence is cited as a significant factor in homelessness among
families;
Whereas millions of children are exposed to domestic violence each year;
Whereas research shows that boys who are exposed to domestic violence in their
households are more likely to become perpetrators of intimate partner
violence;
Whereas victims of domestic violence experience immediate and long-term negative
outcomes, including detrimental effects on mental and physical health;
Whereas research consistently shows that being abused by an intimate partner
increases an individual's likelihood of substance use as well as
associated harmful consequences;
Whereas victims of domestic violence may lose several days of paid work each
year and may lose their jobs due to reasons stemming from domestic
violence;
Whereas crisis hotlines serving domestic violence victims operate 24 hours per
day, 365 days per year, and offer important crisis intervention
services, support services, information, and referrals for victims;
Whereas staff and volunteers of domestic violence shelters and programs in the
United States, in cooperation with 56 State and territorial coalitions
against domestic violence, provide essential services to--
(1) thousands of adults and children each day; and
(2) 1,000,000 adults and children each year;
Whereas more than 160 States, counties, and cities have experienced an increase
in reports of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas domestic violence programs and hotlines have seen a substantial increase
in contacts since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to
experience a surge in requests for services;
Whereas local YWCAs shared that between March 31, 2020, and late summer 2020, as
a result of the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic--
(1) 69 percent of respondent YWCAs that operate domestic violence
hotlines reported an increase in demand for services; and
(2) 64 percent of nearly 100 local YWCAs who provide domestic violence
services (either emergency shelter or transitional housing) reported an
increase in demand for domestic violence shelter;
Whereas while violence as a lived experience of American Indian and Alaska
Native women exists in less pressing times, the COVID-19 pandemic has
increased the challenges and barriers to accessing safety by
exacerbating already existing issues including--
(1) lack of safe housing for victims;
(2) lack of space in shelters for victims to maintain safe social
distancing;
(3) lack of personal protective equipment for staff of tribal shelters
and victim services programs;
(4) limited transportation for victims; and
(5) lack of access to adequate health care;
Whereas respondents to a survey of domestic violence programs reported that
survivors of domestic violence are facing financial challenges related
to COVID-19 and \3/4\ of those respondents reported that survivors are
having trouble accessing food, and more than half of those respondents
have reported that survivors cannot pay their bills;
Whereas medical professionals have reported that survivors of domestic violence
are presenting with more severe injuries during the pandemic;
Whereas domestic violence programs are having to change the way they provide
services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas advocates for survivors of domestic violence and survivors face the same
challenges with child care and facilitating online learning that others
do;
Whereas, according to a 2020 survey conducted by the National Network to End
Domestic Violence, 76,525 domestic violence victims were served by
domestic violence shelters and programs around the United States in a
single day;
Whereas some victims of domestic violence face additional challenges in
accessing law enforcement and services due to conditions specific to the
communities in which they live;
Whereas law enforcement officers in the United States put their lives at risk
each day by responding to incidents of domestic violence, which can be
among the most volatile and deadly calls;
Whereas Congress first demonstrated a significant commitment to supporting
victims of domestic violence with the enactment of the landmark Family
Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.);
Whereas Congress has remained committed to protecting survivors of all forms of
domestic violence and sexual abuse by making Federal funding available
to support the activities that are authorized under--
(1) the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et
seq.);
(2) the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291 et seq.);
and
(3) the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (Public
Law 117-27; 135 Stat. 301);
Whereas there is a need to continue to support programs and activities aimed at
domestic violence intervention and domestic violence prevention in the
United States;
Whereas domestic violence programs provide trauma-informed services to protect
the safety, privacy, and confidentiality of survivors of domestic
violence; and
Whereas individuals and organizations that are dedicated to preventing and
ending domestic violence should be recognized: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That--
(1) the Senate--
(A) supports the goals and ideals of ``National
Domestic Violence Awareness Month'';
(B) commends domestic violence victim advocates,
domestic violence victim service providers, crisis
hotline staff, and first responders serving victims of
domestic violence, for their compassionate support of
survivors of domestic violence; and
(C) recognizes the strength and courage of
survivors of domestic violence; and
(2) it is the sense of the Senate that Congress should--
(A) continue to raise awareness of--
(i) domestic violence in the United States;
and
(ii) the corresponding devastating effects
of domestic violence on survivors, families,
and communities; and
(B) pledge continued support for programs designed
to--
(i) assist survivors of domestic violence;
(ii) hold perpetrators of domestic violence
accountable; and
(iii) bring an end to domestic violence.
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