[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 448 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 448
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness
Month.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 2, 2023
Ms. Butler (for herself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Murkowski, Ms.
Klobuchar, and Ms. Ernst) 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 a study has found that children who were exposed to domestic violence in
their households were 15 times more likely to be physically or sexually
assaulted in their lifetime than other children who were not exposed to
domestic violence in their households;
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 domestic violence programs and hotlines have seen a substantial increase
in contacts since 2020, and continue to experience a surge in requests
for services, with the National Domestic Violence Hotline averaging
approximately 3,000 daily contacts in 2023, up from 800 to 1,200 average
daily contacts before the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas nearly 85 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women have
experienced some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime;
Whereas respondents to a survey of domestic violence programs reported that
survivors of domestic violence often face financial challenges, with
8,000,000 days of paid work lost each year due to intimate partner
violence;
Whereas medical professionals have reported that survivors of domestic violence
presented with more severe injuries during the pandemic;
Whereas domestic violence programs changed 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 2022 survey conducted by the National Network to End
Domestic Violence, 79,335 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 (34
U.S.C. 10101 note; Public Law 117-27);
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.
<all>