[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 155 (Thursday, October 22, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S7474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 293--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 VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND 
  EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT CONGRESS SHOULD CONTINUE TO 
   SUPPORT EFFORTS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOLD PERPETRATORS OF 
                     DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACCOUNTABLE

  Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Ms. Ayotte, and Ms. Klobuchar) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 293

       Whereas domestic violence victim advocates, domestic 
     violence service providers, domestic violence first 
     responders, and other individuals in the United States 
     observe the month of October, 2015, as ``National Domestic 
     Violence Awareness Month'' in order to increase awareness in 
     the United States about the issue of domestic violence;
       Whereas it is estimated that each year up to 9,000,000 
     individuals in the United States are victims of intimate 
     partner violence, including--
       (1) physical violence;
       (2) rape; or
       (3) stalking;
       Whereas more than 1 in 5 women in the United States and 
     more than 1 in 7 men in the United States have experienced 
     severe physical violence by an intimate partner;
       Whereas domestic violence affects women, men, and children 
     of every age and background, but women--
       (1) experience more domestic violence than men; and
       (2) are significantly more likely than men to be injured 
     during an assault by an intimate partner;
       Whereas women aged 18 to 34 typically experience the 
     highest rates of intimate partner violence, according to the 
     Bureau of Justice Statistics;
       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 research shows that households in which children 
     are abused or neglected are likely to have a higher rate of 
     intimate partner violence;
       Whereas millions of children are exposed to domestic 
     violence each year;
       Whereas victims of domestic violence experience immediate 
     and long-term negative outcomes, including detrimental 
     effects on mental and physical health;
       Whereas crisis hotlines serving domestic violence operate 
     24 hours per day, 365 days per year, and offer important--
       (1) crisis intervention;
       (2) support;
       (3) information; and
       (4) 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) at least 1,000,000 adults and children each year;
       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 disturbance calls;
       Whereas Congress first demonstrated a significant 
     commitment to supporting victims of domestic violence through 
     the landmark enactment of the 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 (42 U.S.C. 13925 
     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; 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 domestic violence in the 
     United States and the corresponding devastating effects of 
     domestic violence on survivors, families, and communities; 
     and
       (B) pledge continued support for programs designed--
       (i) to assist survivors;
       (ii) to hold perpetrators accountable; and
       (iii) to bring an end to domestic violence.

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