By:  Zaffirini                                        S.C.R. No. 17
                             SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, Experts consider domestic violence to be a learned
    1-2  behavior in many instances, which indicates that effective
    1-3  intervention requires a therapeutic approach; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Outcome studies have shown that completion of
    1-5  batterers intervention programs does help men develop better
    1-6  communication skills, learn to abate anger, learn conflict
    1-7  resolution skills, gain respect and reduce animosity toward women;
    1-8  and
    1-9        WHEREAS, Many perpetrators of domestic violence are not
   1-10  provided an opportunity to modify their abusive behavior because of
   1-11  a lack of intervention programs in Texas; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, In 1989, the 71st Legislature established the
   1-13  Battering Intervention and Prevention Project as part of the
   1-14  community justice assistance division of the Texas Department of
   1-15  Criminal Justice; the project, Texas' first direct involvement in
   1-16  domestic violence prevention through specialized programs to
   1-17  rehabilitate offenders, is a vital supplement to law enforcement
   1-18  and criminal justice systems in responding to domestic violence;
   1-19  now, therefore, be it
   1-20        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
   1-21  hereby request the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to raise
   1-22  the funding priority of all diversion-targeted programs including,
   1-23  but not limited to, battering intervention and prevention programs
    2-1  in order to increase offender services and provide adequate
    2-2  counseling; and, be it further
    2-3        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
    2-4  hereby request that any additional discretionary funds be used to
    2-5  fund new and innovative programs which include, but are not limited
    2-6  to, battering intervention and prevention programs.