[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 387 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 387

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness 
Month, commending domestic violence victim advocates, domestic violence 
 victim service providers, crisis hotline staff, and first responders 
serving victims of domestic violence for their compassionate support of 
survivors of domestic violence, and expressing the sense of the Senate 
   that Congress should continue to support efforts to end domestic 
  violence, provide safety for victims of domestic violence and their 
   families, and hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 30, 2019

 Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Leahy, and Mr. Grassley) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                            on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness 
Month, commending domestic violence victim advocates, domestic violence 
 victim service providers, crisis hotline staff, and first responders 
serving victims of domestic violence for their compassionate support of 
survivors of domestic violence, and expressing the sense of the Senate 
   that Congress should continue to support efforts to end domestic 
  violence, provide safety for victims of domestic violence and their 
   families, and hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable.

Whereas, according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey--

    (1) up to 12,000,000 individuals in the United States report 
experiencing intimate partner violence annually, including physical 
violence, rape, or stalking; and

    (2) approximately 1 in 5 women in the United States and up to 1 in 7 
men in the United States have experienced severe physical violence by an 
intimate partner at some point in their lifetimes;

Whereas, on average, 3 women in the United States are killed each day by a 
        current or former intimate partner, according to the Bureau of Justice 
        Statistics;
Whereas domestic violence can affect anyone, but women who are 18 to 34 years of 
        age typically experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence;
Whereas most female victims of intimate partner violence have been victimized by 
        the same offender previously;
Whereas domestic violence is cited as a significant factor in homelessness among 
        families;
Whereas millions of children are exposed to domestic violence each year;
Whereas research shows that boys who are exposed to domestic violence in their 
        households are more likely to become perpetrators of intimate partner 
        violence;
Whereas victims of domestic violence experience immediate and long-term negative 
        outcomes, including detrimental effects on mental and physical health;
Whereas victims of domestic violence may lose several days of paid work each 
        year and may lose their jobs due to reasons stemming from domestic 
        violence;
Whereas crisis hotlines serving domestic violence victims operate 24 hours per 
        day, 365 days per year, and offer important crisis intervention 
        services, support services, information, and referrals for victims;
Whereas staff and volunteers of domestic violence shelters and programs in the 
        United States, in cooperation with 56 State and territorial coalitions 
        against domestic violence, serve--

    (1) thousands of adults and children each day; and

    (2) 1,000,000 adults and children each year;

Whereas, according to a 2016 survey conducted by the National Network to End 
        Domestic Violence, 72,959 domestic violence victims were served by 
        domestic violence shelters and programs around the United States in a 
        single day;
Whereas law enforcement officers in the United States put their lives at risk 
        each day by responding to incidents of domestic violence, which can be 
        among the most volatile and deadly calls;
Whereas Congress first demonstrated a significant commitment to supporting 
        victims of domestic violence with the enactment of the landmark Family 
        Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.);
Whereas Congress has remained committed to protecting survivors of all forms of 
        domestic violence and sexual abuse by making Federal funding available 
        to support the activities that are authorized under--

    (1) the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et 
seq.); and

    (2) the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291 et seq.);

Whereas there is a need to continue to support programs and activities aimed at 
        domestic violence intervention and domestic violence prevention in the 
        United States;
Whereas domestic violence programs provide trauma-informed services to protect 
        the safety, privacy, and confidentiality of survivors; and
Whereas individuals and organizations that are dedicated to preventing and 
        ending domestic violence should be recognized: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) the Senate supports the goals and ideals of ``National 
        Domestic Violence Awareness Month''; and
            (2) it is the sense of the Senate that Congress should--
                    (A) continue to raise awareness of--
                            (i) domestic violence in the United States; 
                        and
                            (ii) the corresponding devastating effects 
                        of domestic violence on survivors, families, 
                        and communities; and
                    (B) pledge continued support for programs designed 
                to--
                            (i) assist survivors;
                            (ii) hold perpetrators accountable; and
                            (iii) bring an end to domestic violence.
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