[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 448 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 448

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            November 2, 2023

 Ms. Butler (for herself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Murkowski, Ms. 
Klobuchar, and Ms. Ernst) 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 a study has found that children who were exposed to domestic violence in 
        their households were 15 times more likely to be physically or sexually 
        assaulted in their lifetime than other children who were not exposed to 
        domestic violence in their households;
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 domestic violence programs and hotlines have seen a substantial increase 
        in contacts since 2020, and continue to experience a surge in requests 
        for services, with the National Domestic Violence Hotline averaging 
        approximately 3,000 daily contacts in 2023, up from 800 to 1,200 average 
        daily contacts before the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas nearly 85 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women have 
        experienced some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime;
Whereas respondents to a survey of domestic violence programs reported that 
        survivors of domestic violence often face financial challenges, with 
        8,000,000 days of paid work lost each year due to intimate partner 
        violence;
Whereas medical professionals have reported that survivors of domestic violence 
        presented with more severe injuries during the pandemic;
Whereas domestic violence programs changed 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 2022 survey conducted by the National Network to End 
        Domestic Violence, 79,335 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 (34 
U.S.C. 10101 note; Public Law 117-27);

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.
                                 <all>