| |
| |
|
|
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Domestic violence inflicts a heavy toll of physical, |
|
|
emotional, and psychological damage in our communities, and the |
|
|
observance of Domestic Violence Survivors' Day serves as an |
|
|
opportunity to show support for those who are rebuilding their |
|
|
lives after suffering abuse; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, According to a survey published by the Centers for |
|
|
Disease Control and Prevention, one in every four women and one in |
|
|
every nine men have experienced some form of severe domestic |
|
|
violence, including physical violence, sexual violence, or |
|
|
stalking, and such incidents account for 15 percent of all violent |
|
|
crime; moreover, domestic violence is linked to higher rates of |
|
|
depression and suicidal behavior; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Domestic abuse can go beyond physical assault to |
|
|
encompass psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse; the CDC |
|
|
survey found that nearly half of all adults in the United States |
|
|
have experienced psychologically aggressive behavior by an |
|
|
intimate partner, and abusive and controlling behaviors often |
|
|
escalate over time; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The effort to focus greater public attention on this |
|
|
urgent health care issue has extended over several decades; the |
|
|
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence held the initial Day |
|
|
of Unity observance in October 1981, and the scope of the event |
|
|
expanded in the years that followed; Domestic Violence Awareness |
|
|
Month was first recognized in October 1987, and that same year the |
|
|
first national toll-free hotline for victims of domestic violence |
|
|
was established; Congress officially designated the month in 1989; |
|
|
and |
|
|
WHEREAS, These observances help to unite advocates in their |
|
|
efforts to end domestic violence and to educate the public and |
|
|
policymakers about its prevalence and its devastating impact; |
|
|
perhaps most importantly, the events serve as a means to tell the |
|
|
stories of those who have experienced abuse, to share the inspiring |
|
|
narratives of survivors, and to provide support to those who are in |
|
|
the process of healing; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas, |
|
|
3rd Called Session, hereby designate the third Monday in October as |
|
|
Domestic Violence Survivors' Day; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section |
|
|
391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
|
|
until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally |
|
|
passed by the legislature. |