2015 Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 30 BY SENATORS MORRELL AND PETERSON AND REPRESENTATIVES ADAMS, WESLEY BISHOP, GISCLAIR, MORENO AND PATRICK WILLIAMS A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION To designate April 28, 2015, as "Purple and Teal Day" at the Louisiana State Capitol and to recognize the efforts of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes the social need to address the issue of domestic violence that is directed primarily against women; and WHEREAS, domestic violence, sexual assault, and dating violence are serious criminal offenses that affect persons indiscriminate of race, age, gender, or economic status; these infractions often go unreported to law enforcement authorities and without medical attention afforded to its victims; and WHEREAS, domestic violence is a national topic of concern that affects 1.3 million Americans annually; and WHEREAS, domestic violence often manifests as physical injury to the victim by an intimate partner, yet psychological trauma may also be inflicted on the victim through either domination behaviors, intimidation, emotional abuse, or stalking; and WHEREAS, in Louisiana, the murder of women in domestic violence homicides occurs at a rate forty percent higher than the national average and often involves a firearm; and WHEREAS, these acts of violence assail an individual's right to privacy, dignity, security, and humanity; and WHEREAS, another disturbing statistic is that children often witness domestic violence firsthand or become victims of abuse during the altercation; they become collateral damage in violent home environments; they sometimes become adults who abuse others or become subjugated victims themselves and the cycle of degradation continues unabated; and WHEREAS, the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a statewide coalition of shelters, nonresidential programs, and individuals who work together to deter domestic violence behavior; and Page 1 of 2 SCR NO. 30 ENROLLED WHEREAS, the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault is a private nonprofit organization that provides sexual assault crisis centers throughout the state; and WHEREAS, on April 28, 2015, these two groups will host the Purple and Teal Day at the Louisiana State Capitol and at that time disseminate information to help reduce the incidence of domestic violence; and WHEREAS, Purple and Teal Day creates an excellent opportunity to inform the public about the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault and to support the numerous organizations that provide critical advocacy and assistance for victims and their families. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate April 28, 2015, as "Purple and Teal Day" at the Louisiana State Capitol and does hereby recognize the efforts of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault to reduce violent behavior within the home environment and society as a whole. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Ashley Chretien, public policy coordinator for the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Page 2 of 2