Bill Text: CA ACR59 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 48-21-1)
Status: (Passed) 2017-09-25 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 199, Statutes of 2017. [ACR59 Detail]
Download: California-2017-ACR59-Chaptered.html
| Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 59 |
| CHAPTER 199 |
Relative to Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
September 25, 2017.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 59, Rubio.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
This measure would proclaim the month of October 2017, and each following October, as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee: NOBill Text
WHEREAS, Former President Obama declared October 2016 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, President Obama declared that “When anyone is targeted by someone they place their trust in, we have a responsibility to speak up. We all have a role to play in building a bright and safe future for each other and for future generations”; and
WHEREAS, Although progress has been made toward breaking the cycle of violence and providing support to victims of domestic violence and their families, much work remains to be done; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence programs in California provide essential, lifesaving services to victims and their children who are fleeing violence; and
WHEREAS, Advocates and organizations work on behalf of victims of domestic violence every day. Domestic violence shelters and services, law enforcement officials, health care providers, court systems and legal aid providers, tribal organizations, and others are all an integral part of the effort to end domestic violence and must be recognized and applauded for their work; and
WHEREAS, Victims of domestic violence embody incredible strength and resilience; and
WHEREAS, There is a need to increase public awareness and understanding of domestic violence and the needs of victims; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence affects women, men, and children of all racial, ethnic, cultural, social, religious, and economic groups in the United States and here in California; and
WHEREAS, The marginalization of certain groups in society, including undocumented individuals, transgender individuals, and people living with disabilities, increases their vulnerability to intimate partner violence; and
WHEREAS, According to the American Psychological Association, women with disabilities have a 40 percent greater risk of intimate partner violence than women without disabilities; and
WHEREAS, American Indian women residing on reservations suffer domestic violence and physical assault at rates 50 percent higher than women of other races and at least 70 percent of this violence is committed by persons of another race; and
WHEREAS, It is necessary to understand the complexity of domestic violence as perpetuated within communities and against communities, and the fear of many victims to report domestic violence to law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence has a significant economic impact on women throughout the country; an estimated 8,000,000 days of paid work are lost as the result of intimate partner violence and domestic violence costs $8.3 billion in expenses annually—$5.8 billion in medical costs and $2.5 billion in lost productivity; and
WHEREAS, Among families, domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness; and
WHEREAS, All victims of domestic violence deserve access to culturally appropriate programs and services to increase their safety and improve their life situations; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 40 percent of women in California experience physical intimate partner violence in their lifetimes; and
WHEREAS, Women between 18 and 24 years of age are significantly more likely to be victims of physical intimate partner violence than women in other age groups; and
WHEREAS, California law enforcement agencies received 162,302 domestic violence-related calls in 2015; and
WHEREAS, There were 118 domestic violence related homicides in California in 2015, of which 91 of the fatalities were female and 27 were male; and
WHEREAS, Children exposed to domestic violence can experience long-term consequences including difficulty at school, substance abuse, and serious adult health problems; and
WHEREAS, The Legislature recognizes the vital role that all Californians can play in preventing, and one day ending, domestic violence; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes October 2017, and each following October, as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
