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Chairman Phil Mendelson Councilmember Brooke Pinto 3
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Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Anita Bonds 6
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Councilmember Matthew Frumin Councilmember Vincent C. Gray 10
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Councilmember Christina Henderson Councilmember J aneese Lewis George 14
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Councilmember K enyan R. McDuffie Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau 19
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Councilmember Zachary Parker Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. 22
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 25
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 29
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To declare the month of October 2024 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in the District 34
of Columbia. 35
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WHEREAS, protecting and improving the dignity and safety of all residents is the 37
foundation of a vibrant and healthy community; 38
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WHEREAS, domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior used to exert power and 40
control over an intimate partner that jeopardizes the security and well-being of District residents, 41
and such destructive acts will not be tolerated; 42
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WHEREAS, all forms of domestic violence—including physical, psychological, 44
emotional, and economic abuse—can have devastating consequences for survivors and their 45
families; 46
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WHEREAS, 47% of women and 43% of men in the District have experienced intimate 48
partner physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking in their lifetimes ; 49
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WHEREAS, approximately 736 million women across the world have experienced 51
physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner; 52
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WHEREAS, nearly 99% of survivors experienced economic abuse from their partner, with 54
many also facing long-term financial consequences as a result of intimate partner violence; 55
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WHEREAS, in a one-day snapshot in 2023, 756 survivors received help from domestic 57
violence service providers in the District, with 577 of those survivors receiving housing; 58
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WHEREAS, in that same one- day period, 199 additional survivors called domestic 60
violence hotlines; 61
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WHEREAS, in that same one- day period, providers were unable to meet approximately 35 63
survivors’ requests for housing or emergency shelter; 64
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WHEREAS, of District residents experiencing homelessness in 2024, 50% of adults in 66
families and 26% of single adults reported some history of domestic violence victimization ; 67
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WHEREAS, 40% of homeless youth in the District indicate that they have experienced 69
domestic violence; 70
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WHEREAS, in FY23, intimate partner violence was the most common call type to the DC 72
Victim Hotline, a 46% increase over FY22. 73
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WHEREAS, in FY23, 1048 survivors called the national DV Hotline, with 472 of these 75
calls involving requests for shelter. 57% of callers who shared their race were Black/ African 76
American; 84% were female. 77
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WHEREAS, according to the 2017 DC Women’s Needs Assessment Report, Black 79
women, who comprise only 52% of the adult women’s population, accounted for 75% of the 80
District’s unaccompanied homeless women’s population; 81
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WHEREAS, domestic violence service providers continue to report that their survivor 83
services are in very high demand; 84
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WHEREAS, in addition to the increased demand for services, local domestic violence 86
service providers are reporting a significant increase in the lethality of domestic violence ; 87
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WHEREAS, economic stability and access to financial resources can be a critical factor in 89
a survivor’s ability to leave an abuser or dangerous environment; 90
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WHEREAS, the District must commit to addressing the racial, social, and economic 92
inequities that are uniquely harm ful to communities of color and that hinder many survivors from 93
thriving after leaving an abusive relationship; 94
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WHEREAS, there is a continuing need for survivors to have access to culturally- specific 96
services which affirm their heritage, customs, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other lived 97
experiences; 98
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WHEREAS, service providers should receive adequate funding and support from local, 100
regional, and federal governments to address the growing demand and greater need for housing, 101
counseling, legal, and culturally- specific services; 102
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WHEREAS, the goal of Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to improve awareness of 104
domestic violence and outreach to residents and community members, and foster cooperation 105
between public and private actors to end domestic violence in the District; 106
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WHEREAS, the District can do much more to support survivors and service providers, and 108
the Council will continue to partner with District agencies, community-based organizations, and 109
residents to keep survivors safe. 110
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RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 112
resolution may be cited as the “Domestic Violence Awareness Month Recognition Resolution of 113
2024”. 114
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Sec. 2. The Council declares the month of October 2024 as “Domestic Violence Awareness 116
Month” in the District of Columbia. 117
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in 119
the District of Columbia Register. 120