Record #: R2017-834   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 10/11/2017 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 10/11/2017
Title: Observance of October as "National Domestic Violence Awareness Month"
Sponsors: Silverstein, Debra L., Hopkins, Brian , Lopez, Raymond A., Thompson, Patrick D., Sadlowski Garza, Susan, O'Shea, Matthew J., Reilly, Brendan, Sawyer, Roderick T., Austin, Carrie M., Napolitano, Anthony V., Waguespack, Scott, King, Sophia D., Foulkes, Toni, Quinn, Marty, Harris, Michelle A., Smith, Michele, Sposato, Nicholas, Ramirez-Rosa, Carlos, Mell, Deborah, Dowell, Pat, Tunney, Thomas, Santiago, Milagros, Cappleman, James, Laurino, Margaret, Osterman, Harry, O'Connor, Patrick, Mitts, Emma, Mitchell, Gregory I.
Attachments: 1. R2017-834.pdf

 

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, The month of October, 2017 has Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and

 

WHEREAS, While the nationwide rate of domestic violence has decreased over the last two decades, domestic violence continues to spread across the Nation, continues to be the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44. and is experienced by one in four women and one in ten men during their lifetimes; and

 

WHEREAS, Domestic violence takes many forms beyond physical abuse, and includes psychological abuse, economic abuse, and stalking; and

 

WHEREAS, Domestic violence affects women and men of ail racial, ethnic, cultural, social, religious, and economic backgrounds; and

 

WHEREAS, Victims of domestic violence include the more than three million children who witness acts of domestic violence in their homes each yean and

 

WHEREAS, Domestic violence carries a substantial price, costing more than $37 billion per year for law enforcement involvement, legal assistance, medical and mental health treatment, and lost employee productivity; and

 

WHEREAS, Since 1989, October has been designated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in order to promote awareness, encourage reporting, provide safety for victims, encourage people to look out for one another, and ensure that treatment is provided and administrative action is taken when needed; and

 

WHEREAS, Domestic violence programs provide essential, lifesaving services to victims of domestic violence and their children; and

 

WHEREAS, The City of Chicago recognizes its role in the prevention of domestic violence and the support of its victims. The Department of Family and Support Services and the Chicago Police Department offer victims of domestic violence many resources, including a 24-hour, multi-lingual hotline, and coordinated efforts with community-based organizations to provide shelters, counseling, and legal advocacy; and

 

WHEREAS, Chicago has made domestic violence initiatives a top priority, convening law enforcement agencies, local government offices, prosecutors, and community service organizations to align forces to break the cycle of domestic violence. This effort has led to thousands of police officers across the City receiving advanced training in domestic violence to both improve support to victims and to increase successful prosecution rates for these horrible crimes; and

 

WHEREAS, In 2017, Chicago helped open the Apna Ghar Domestic Violence Shelter, building on earlier investments that have boosted the capacity to provide services to victims of domestic violence by 40% over the last two years; and

 

WHEREAS, Despite these efforts, there continues to be a need to increase public awareness and understanding of domestic violence and the options for its victims to receive the help they need; now, therefore,

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this eleventh day of October, 2017, join our Nation in proclaiming October to be National Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we commend and offer our sincerest thanks to the social workers, advocates, organizations, law enforcement officials, health care providers, and others who work tirelessly to end domestic violence and offer services to its victims; and

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we call upon men and women of all ages, communities, organizations, and levels of government to work in collaboration to end domestic violence.

 

Co-sponsors