HR1408 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1408 LRB099 23325 MST 50779 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that one in three women and one in four men will experience some form of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, Domestic abuse is a repetitive pattern of behaviors to maintain power and control over an intimate partner; and

WHEREAS, More than three million children witness domestic violence in their homes each year; and

WHEREAS, An estimated one-half of women in abusive relationships in the United States are physically injured by their partner; and

WHEREAS, Domestic violence costs more than $37 billion a year in law enforcement involvement, legal assistance, medical and mental health treatment, and lost employee productivity; and

WHEREAS, Organizations such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence have worked to educate, counsel, and help communities affected by domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the "Day of Unity" held in October of 1981, and was conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and

WHEREAS, Since 1989, October has been designated as National Domestic Violence Month; and

WHEREAS, With violence increasing in our schools, on our streets, and in our homes, ending it should be a top priority for everyone; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October and support and commend the efforts of those people and organizations who work tirelessly to help victims break free of the devastating effects of domestic abuse and work to ameliorate this scourge on society, thereby creating safer communities for all.