[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 172 (Wednesday, October 30, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6304-S6305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 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

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

                              S. Res. 387

       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;

[[Page S6305]]

       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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