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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Domestic violence inflicts a heavy toll of physical, |
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emotional, and psychological damage in our communities, and the |
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observance of Domestic Violence Survivors' Day serves as an |
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opportunity to show support for those who are rebuilding their |
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lives after suffering abuse; and |
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WHEREAS, According to a survey published by the Centers for |
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Disease Control and Prevention, one in every four women and one in |
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every nine men have experienced some form of severe domestic |
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violence, including physical violence, sexual violence, or |
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stalking, and such incidents account for 15 percent of all violent |
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crime; moreover, domestic violence is linked to higher rates of |
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depression and suicidal behavior; and |
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WHEREAS, Domestic abuse can go beyond physical assault to |
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encompass psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse; the CDC |
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survey found that nearly half of all adults in the United States |
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have experienced psychologically aggressive behavior by an |
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intimate partner, and abusive and controlling behaviors often |
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escalate over time; and |
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WHEREAS, The effort to focus greater public attention on this |
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urgent health care issue has extended over several decades; the |
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National Coalition Against Domestic Violence held the initial Day |
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of Unity observance in October 1981, and the scope of the event |
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expanded in the years that followed; Domestic Violence Awareness |
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Month was first recognized in October 1987, and that same year the |
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first national toll-free hotline for victims of domestic violence |
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was established; Congress officially designated the month in 1989; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, These observances help to unite advocates in their |
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efforts to end domestic violence and to educate the public and |
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policymakers about its prevalence and its devastating impact; |
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perhaps most importantly, the events serve as a means to tell the |
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stories of those who have experienced abuse, to share the inspiring |
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narratives of survivors, and to provide support to those who are in |
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the process of healing; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas, |
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1st Called Session, hereby designate the third Monday in October as |
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Domestic Violence Survivors' Day; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section |
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391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
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until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally |
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passed by the legislature. |