Record #: R2020-174   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 2/19/2020 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 2/19/2020
Title: Support extended to reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act and gratitude extended to advocates and service providers of domestic violence victims
Sponsors: Lightfoot, Lori E. , Valencia, Anna M., Dowell, Pat, King, Sophia D., Hairston, Leslie A., Harris, Michelle A., Sadlowski Garza, Susan, Coleman, Stephanie D. , Taylor, Jeanette B. , Tabares, Silvana, Rodriguez Sanchez, Rossana , Austin, Carrie M., Mitts, Emma, Nugent, Samantha , Smith, Michele, Hadden, Maria E. , Silverstein, Debra L.
Topic: CITY COUNCIL - Miscellaneous
Attachments: 1. R2020-174.pdf

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

CITY OF CHICAGO

LORI E. LIGHTFOOT MAYOR

 

February 19, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

I transmit herewith, together with City Clerk Valencia and Aldermen Dowell, King, Hairston, Harris, Garza, Coleman, Taylor, Tabares, Rodriguez-Sanchez, Austin, Mitts, Nugent, Smith, Hadden and Silverstein, a resolution regarding progress in eradicating violence against women.

 

Your favorable consideration ofthis resolution will be appreciated.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking undermine safety and justice across all communities; and

WHEREAS, Domestic violence does not discriminate, and anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic background, or gender can be a victim - or perpetrator - of domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, on average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States - more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year. These violent crimes often result in severe mental, physical, and economic trauma; and

WHEREAS, In an effort to address domestic violence, Congress passed the federal Violence Against Women Act in 1994. The Act sought to improve criminal justice and community-based responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; and

WHEREAS, The Act established the Office on Violence Against Women within the Department of Justice to provide a wide range of programs and services to address the epidemic of domestic violence, including community violence prevention programs, funding for victim assistance services like rape crisis centers and hotlines and legal aid for survivors of domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, The Act's passage and its reauthorization in 2000, 2005, and 2013 have changed the landscape for victims who once suffered in silence, and has helped the justice system acknowledge that domestic violence, in all of its forms, is a crime that our society will not tolerate; and

WHEREAS, Despite the progress made under the Act/domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking remain a national public health issue, and this violence disproportionately impacts women, children, and LGBTQI individuals; and

WHEREAS, The Violence Against Women Act has once again expired, and it must be reauthorized to continue the progress made to stem domestic violence, and to serve and protect its survivors; and

WHEREAS, The City recognizes and applauds the successful efforts made under the Act, but acknowledges that there is much work ahead, and looks forward to the day when no one is subject to the scourge of domestic violence; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this nineteenth day of February, 2020, do hereby recommit to eradicating domestic violence and, as a necessary first step, supporting the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, and we ,also 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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Senators Richard Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, as a sign of our commitment to this important issue.

 

 

 

adopud by Tlie Qity Qouncil ofthe Qity of Qkicago, Illinois

P

resented by   Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and                                          OH                     February 19, 202Q

Members of the City Council Women's Caucus

 

\ereas, Domestic violence,' sexual assault, dating violence and stalking undermine safety and justice across all communities; and

 

WHEREAS, Domestic violence does not discriminate, and anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic background, or gender can be a victim - or perpetrator - of domestic violence; and

 

WHEREAS, According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, on average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United'States - more than 12 million women and men over the course of g year. These, violent crimes often result in severe mental; physical, and economic trauma; arid

 

WHEREAS; In an 'effort to address domestic violence. Congress-passed the .federal Violence Against Women. Act in 199.4; The Act sought to improve Criminal justice and community-based responses to domestic violence,'dating violence; sexual , assault, and stalking; and     " •;.

 

WHEREAS, The Act established the Office on Violence Against Women within the . Department of Justice-to provide a wide range of programs and services to address the epidemic of domestic violence, including community violence/prevention programs, funding for victim assistance services.like rape crisis centers and hotlines and legal aid for survivors of domestic violence; and

 

WHEREAS, The Act's passage and its reauthorization in 2000, 2005, and 2013 have changed the landscape for victims who once suffered in silence, and has helped the justice system acknowledge that domestic violence, in all of its forms, is a crime that our society will not tolerate; and

 

WHEREAS, Despite the progress made under the Act, domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking remain a national public health issue, and this violence disproportionately impacts women, children, and LGBTQI individuals; and

 

 

WHEREAS, The Violence Against Women Act has once again expired, and it musl be reauthorized to continue the progress made to stem domestic violence, and to serve and proiect its survivors; and '

 

WHEREAS, The City recognizes and applauds the successful efforts made under the Act, but acknowledges that there is much work ahead, and looks forward to the day when no one is subject to the scourge of domestic violence; now, therefore,

 

BE fT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this nineteenth day of February, 2020, do hereby recommit to eradicating domestic violence and, as a necessary first step, supporting the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, and we also 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

 

BE /T FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to Senators Richard Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, as a sign of our commitment to this important issue.