[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 421 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 421

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness 
                                 Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 18, 2021

Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Ernst, Mr. 
Leahy, and Mr. Grassley) submitted the following resolution; which was 
                        considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness 
                                 Month.

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 domestic violence;
Whereas survivors of domestic violence are strong, courageous, and resilient;
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 research consistently shows that being abused by an intimate partner 
        increases an individual's likelihood of substance use as well as 
        associated harmful consequences;
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, provide essential services to--

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

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

Whereas more than 160 States, counties, and cities have experienced an increase 
        in reports of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas domestic violence programs and hotlines have seen a substantial increase 
        in contacts since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to 
        experience a surge in requests for services;
Whereas local YWCAs shared that between March 31, 2020, and late summer 2020, as 
        a result of the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic--

    (1) 69 percent of respondent YWCAs that operate domestic violence 
hotlines reported an increase in demand for services; and

    (2) 64 percent of nearly 100 local YWCAs who provide domestic violence 
services (either emergency shelter or transitional housing) reported an 
increase in demand for domestic violence shelter;

Whereas while violence as a lived experience of American Indian and Alaska 
        Native women exists in less pressing times, the COVID-19 pandemic has 
        increased the challenges and barriers to accessing safety by 
        exacerbating already existing issues including--

    (1) lack of safe housing for victims;

    (2) lack of space in shelters for victims to maintain safe social 
distancing;

    (3) lack of personal protective equipment for staff of tribal shelters 
and victim services programs;

    (4) limited transportation for victims; and

    (5) lack of access to adequate health care;

Whereas respondents to a survey of domestic violence programs reported that 
        survivors of domestic violence are facing financial challenges related 
        to COVID-19 and \3/4\ of those respondents reported that survivors are 
        having trouble accessing food, and more than half of those respondents 
        have reported that survivors cannot pay their bills;
Whereas medical professionals have reported that survivors of domestic violence 
        are presenting with more severe injuries during the pandemic;
Whereas domestic violence programs are having to change the way they provide 
        services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas advocates for survivors of domestic violence and survivors face the same 
        challenges with child care and facilitating online learning that others 
        do;
Whereas, according to a 2020 survey conducted by the National Network to End 
        Domestic Violence, 76,525 domestic violence victims were served by 
        domestic violence shelters and programs around the United States in a 
        single day;
Whereas some victims of domestic violence face additional challenges in 
        accessing law enforcement and services due to conditions specific to the 
        communities in which they live;
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.);

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

    (3) the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (Public 
Law 117-27; 135 Stat. 301);

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 of domestic 
        violence; 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--
                    (A) supports the goals and ideals of ``National 
                Domestic Violence Awareness Month'';
                    (B) commends 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
                    (C) recognizes the strength and courage of 
                survivors of domestic violence; 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 of domestic violence;
                            (ii) hold perpetrators of domestic violence 
                        accountable; and
                            (iii) bring an end to domestic violence.
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