BILL NUMBER: ACR 82ENROLLED BILL TEXT ADOPTED IN SENATE SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Mitchell (Coauthors: Assembly Members Achadjian, Alejo, Allen, Ammiano, Atkins, Beall, Bill Berryhill, Block, Bonilla, Bradford, Brownley, Buchanan, Butler, Charles Calderon, Campos, Carter, Cedillo, Chesbro, Cook, Davis, Dickinson, Eng, Feuer, Fong, Fuentes, Furutani, Beth Gaines, Garrick, Gatto, Gordon, Grove, Hagman, Halderman, Harkey, Roger Hernndez, Hill, Huber, Hueso, Huffman, Jeffries, Jones, Lara, Bonnie Lowenthal, Ma, Mansoor, Miller, Monning, Morrell, Nestande, Nielsen, Olsen, Pan, Perea, John A. Prez, V. Manuel Prez, Portantino, Silva, Skinner, Swanson, Torres, Valadao, Wagner, Wieckowski, Williams, and Yamada) AUGUST 24, 2011 Relative to domestic violence. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ACR 82, Mitchell. Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This measure would recognize October 2011 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and urge all Californians to take a stand against domestic violence. WHEREAS, Domestic violence affects millions of Americans each year without regard to ethnicity, age, race, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status; and WHEREAS, The crime of domestic violence violates an individual's rights, privacy, dignity, and security, causing immense physical and emotional pain. This devastating cycle of abuse has a direct impact not only on the victim but is also a public safety issue and affects everyone around the victim. In particular, children who witness violence in the home can suffer from the same social, psychological, and emotional trauma as an abused individual; and WHEREAS, Although domestic abuse is often hidden behind closed doors, it is one of the most prevalent crimes in the United States. One in four women has been abused, many of whom are our loved ones, neighbors, and coworkers; and WHEREAS, Domestic violence comes in many forms, both physical and psychological, but regardless of the type of abuse or the severity, domestic violence is always a choice an abuser makes; and WHEREAS, California is dedicated to providing educational programs that promote awareness and teach youths about healthy relationships; and WHEREAS, Our state is taking steps to hold offenders accountable and offer more support for victims, and the Legislature has enacted numerous laws that increase batterer accountability and increase victim safety; and WHEREAS, Throughout our state, there are many organizations that give safe shelter to victims and their children in a time of need, demonstrating their commitment to helping victims of domestic violence by providing counseling services, crisis hotlines, and legal advocacy; and WHEREAS, In 2010, 84 percent of these organizations reported an increase in the demand for services, while in that same period, 88 percent of these organizations reported a decrease in funding, and as a result, fewer victims can be served. For example, in a survey conducted in a 24-hour period in California, domestic violence agencies were able to serve 5,261 victims, however, 614 victims had to be turned away, due to a lack of resources; and WHEREAS, The State of California is committed to ending intimate partner violence; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That October 2011 is Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and be it further Resolved, That during the month of October, all Californians are urged to take a stand against domestic violence, by raising awareness about this issue and the resources available to victims seeking to escape abuse, in order to break the cycle of violence and save countless lives; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.