Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                               A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

                                              25-265

                   IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                         October 1, 2024

To declare the month of October 2024 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in the District

       of Columbia.

       WHEREAS, protecting and improving the dignity and safety of all residents is the

foundation of a vibrant and healthy community;

        WHEREAS, domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior used to exert power and

control over an intimate partner that jeopardizes the security and well-being of District residents,

and such destructive acts will not be tolerated;

       WHEREAS, all forms of domestic violence—including physical, psychological,

emotional, and economic abuse—can have devastating consequences for survivors and their

families;

        WHEREAS, 47% of women and 43% of men in the District have experienced intimate

partner physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking in their lifetimes;

       WHEREAS, approximately 736 million women across the world have experienced

physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner;

      WHEREAS, nearly 99% of survivors experienced economic abuse from their partner, with

many also facing long-term financial consequences as a result of intimate partner violence;

       WHEREAS, in a one-day snapshot in 2023, 756 survivors received help from domestic

violence service providers in the District, with 577 of those survivors receiving housing;

       WHEREAS, in that same one-day period, 199 additional survivors called domestic

violence hotlines;

       WHEREAS, in that same one-day period, providers were unable to meet approximately 35

survivors’ requests for housing or emergency shelter;

       WHEREAS, of District residents experiencing homelessness in 2024, 50% of adults in

families and 26% of single adults reported some history of domestic violence victimization;

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      WHEREAS, 40% of homeless youth in the District indicate that they have experienced

domestic violence;

       WHEREAS, in FY23, intimate partner violence was the most common call type to the DC

Victim Hotline, a 46% increase over FY22;

        WHEREAS, in FY23, 1048 survivors called the national DV Hotline, with 472 of these

calls involving requests for shelter. 57% of callers who shared their race were Black/ African

American; 84% were female;

        WHEREAS, according to the 2017 DC Women’s Needs Assessment Report, Black

women, who comprise only 52% of the adult women’s population, accounted for 75% of the

District’s unaccompanied homeless women’s population;

       WHEREAS, domestic violence service providers continue to report that their survivor

services are in very high demand;

        WHEREAS, in addition to the increased demand for services, local domestic violence

service providers are reporting a significant increase in the lethality of domestic violence;

        WHEREAS, economic stability and access to financial resources can be a critical factor in

a survivor’s ability to leave an abuser or dangerous environment;

          WHEREAS, the District must commit to addressing the racial, social, and economic

inequities that are uniquely harmful to communities of color and that hinder many survivors from

thriving after leaving an abusive relationship;

       WHEREAS, there is a continuing need for survivors to have access to culturally-specific

services which affirm their heritage, customs, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other lived

experiences;

       WHEREAS, service providers should receive adequate funding and support from local,

regional, and federal governments to address the growing demand and greater need for housing,

counseling, legal, and culturally-specific services;

      WHEREAS, the goal of Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to improve awareness of

domestic violence and outreach to residents and community members, and foster cooperation

between public and private actors to end domestic violence in the District;

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       WHEREAS, the District can do much more to support survivors and service providers, and

the Council will continue to partner with District agencies, community-based organizations, and

residents to keep survivors safe.

        RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this

resolution may be cited as the “Domestic Violence Awareness Month Recognition Resolution of

2024”.

      Sec. 2. The Council declares the month of October 2024 as “Domestic Violence Awareness

Month” in the District of Columbia.

       Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

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