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Councilmember Brooke Pinto 2
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 7
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 11
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To declare the month of October 2023 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in the District 16
of Columbia. 17
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WHEREAS, protecting and improving the dignity and safety of all residents is the 19
foundation of a vibrant and healthy community; 20
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WHEREAS, domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior used to exert power and 22
control over an intimate partner that jeopardizes the security and well-being of District residents, 23
and such destructive acts will not be tolerated; 24
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WHEREAS, all forms of domestic violence—including physical, psychological, 26
emotional, and economic abuse—can have devastating consequences for survivors and their 27
families; 28
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WHEREAS, 44% of women and 29% of men in the District have experienced intimate 30
partner physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking in their lifetimes; 31
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WHEREAS, approximately 736 million women across the world have experienced 33
physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner; 34
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WHEREAS, nearly 99% of survivors experienced economic abuse from their partner, with 36
many also facing long-term financial consequences as a result of intimate partner violence; 37
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WHEREAS, in a one-day snapshot in 2022, 953 survivors received help from domestic 39
violence service providers in the District, a 24% increase over 2021, and with 526 of those 40
survivors receiving housing; 41
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WHEREAS, in that same one-day period, 182 additional survivors called domestic 43
violence hotlines; 44
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WHEREAS, in that same one-day period, providers were unable to meet approximately 41 46
survivors’ requests for housing or emergency shelter; 47
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WHEREAS, of District residents experiencing homelessness in 2022, 55% of adults in 49
families and 24% of single adults reported some history of domestic violence victimization; 50
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WHEREAS, 40% of homeless youth in the District indicate that they have experienced 52
domestic violence; 53
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WHEREAS, according to the 2017 DC Women’s Needs Assessment Report, Black 55
women, who comprise only 52% of the adult women’s population, accounted for 75% of the 56
District’s unaccompanied homeless women’s population; 57
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WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on many communities 59
and has exacerbated long-existing income and wealth inequalities that affect domestic violence 60
survivors globally; 61
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WHEREAS, domestic violence service providers continue to report that their survivor 63
services are in very high demand; 64
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WHEREAS, in addition to the increased demand for services, local domestic violence 66
service providers are reporting a significant increase in the lethality of domestic violence; 67
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WHEREAS, economic stability and access to financial resources can be a critical factor in 69
a survivor’s ability to leave an abuser or dangerous environment; 70
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WHEREAS, the District must commit to addressing the racial, social, and economic 72
inequities that are uniquely harmful to communities of color and that hinder many survivors from 73
thriving after leaving an abusive relationship; 74
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WHEREAS, there is a continuing need for survivors to have access to culturally-specific 76
services which affirm their heritage, customs, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other lived 77
experiences; 78
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WHEREAS, service providers should receive adequate funding and support from local, 80
regional, and federal governments to address the growing demand and greater need for housing, 81
counseling, legal, and culturally-specific services; 82
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WHEREAS, the goal of Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to improve awareness of 84
domestic violence and outreach to residents and community members, and foster cooperation 85
between public and private actors to end domestic violence in the District; 86
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WHEREAS, the District can do much more to support survivors and service providers, and 88
the Council will continue to partner with District agencies, community-based organizations, and 89
residents to keep survivors safe. 90
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RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 92
resolution may be cited as the “Domestic Violence Awareness Month Recognition Resolution of 93
2023”. 94
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Sec. 2. The Council declares the month of October 2023 as “Domestic Violence Awareness 96
Month” in the District of Columbia. 97
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in 99
the District of Columbia Register. 100