H.R. No. 12
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Every October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month
mobilizes people around the country to join in efforts to end
domestic violence in their communities; and
WHEREAS, More than 10 million women and men are physically
abused by an intimate partner in the United States each year;
domestic violence encompasses a pattern of behaviors used to gain
or maintain power and control over a victim, and in many cases,
physical violence reinforces other forms of psychological and
emotional abuse such as threats, intimidation, and isolation;
severe intimate partner violence can include instances of physical
assault, rape, and stalking that leave victims with injuries,
post-traumatic stress disorder, and other lasting impacts; and
WHEREAS, While young women are most frequently the victims of
intimate partner violence, women, men, and children of every age,
race, background, and circumstance can fall victim to abuse at the
hands of a family member; the damage caused by domestic violence
extends beyond direct victims to include children who are witnesses
to violence in their own homes, and studies have shown that children
exposed to family violence are at higher risk for mental health
conditions like anxiety and depression, for developing substance
abuse disorders and certain diseases in adulthood, and for becoming
either a victim or a perpetrator of abuse themselves; and
WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the
"Day of Unity" first observed by the National Coalition Against
Domestic Violence in October 1981; the goal of the observance was to
connect advocates across the nation who were working to break the
cycle of domestic violence and abuse, and it soon expanded into an
entire week of activities at the local, state, and national levels;
the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month took place in October
1987, the same year that the first national toll-free hotline for
victims of domestic violence was established; and
WHEREAS, During Domestic Violence Awareness Month,
advocates, supporters, and survivors gather together to raise
public awareness of domestic violence, to celebrate the progress
that has been made, and to call attention to the work that must be
done to protect future victims of this devastating crime; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby recognize October 2024 as
Domestic Violence Awareness Month and encourage Texans to learn
more about how they can stand up against domestic violence in their
communities.
Hull
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 12 was adopted by the House on
November 1, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House