October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Throughout the month, Pagosa will be the color Purple in honor of survivors of domestic violence.
Purple ribbons are wrapped on lampposts, local businesses will have purple windows displaying domestic violence statistics, and the Pagosa Springs High School volleyball players will wear purple socks at home games throughout the month.
DVAM History Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the "Day of Unity" held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.
The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national level. The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes:
Mourning those who have died because of domestic violence
Celebrating those who have survived
Connecting those who work to end violence
These three themes remain a key focus of DVAM events today.
In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline.
In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has passed every year since with National Coalition Against Domestic Violence providing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
- Adapted from the 1996 Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resource Manual of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 566 SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, COMMENDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM
ADVOCATES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS, CRISIS HOTLINE
STAFF, AND FIRST RESPONDERS SERVING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOR
THEIR COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT CONGRESS SHOULD CONTINUE TO
SUPPORT EFFORTS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOLD PERPETRATORS OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACCOUNTABLE
Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Ms. Ayotte, and Ms. Klobuchar)
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
Whereas domestic violence victim advocates, domestic
violence service providers, domestic violence first
responders, and other individuals in the United States
observe the month of October, 2016, as “National Domestic
Violence Awareness Month” in order to increase awareness in
the United States about the issue of domestic violence;
Whereas it is estimated that each year approximately
12,673,000 individuals in the United States are victims of
intimate partner violence, including--
(1) physical violence;
(2) rape; or
(3) stalking;
Whereas more than 1 in 5 women in the United States and up
to 1 in 7 men in the United States have experienced severe
physical violence by an intimate partner;
Whereas, on average, 3 women are killed by a current or
former intimate partner every day in the United States,
according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics;
Whereas personal safety and economic security are often
inextricably linked for victims of domestic violence,
according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence;
Whereas 1 in 11 women and 1 in 21 men who have experienced
sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an
intimate partner missed work or school as a result of the
abuse;
Whereas the National Domestic Violence Counts Census found
that during 1 day during September 2015, more than 71,828
victims of domestic violence received services, but 12,197
requests for services went unmet due to a lack of funding and
resources;
Whereas domestic violence affects women, men, and children
of every age and background, but women--
(1) experience more domestic violence than men; and
(2) are significantly more likely than men to be injured
during an assault by an intimate partner;
Whereas women aged 18 to 34 typically experience the
highest rates of intimate partner violence, according to the
Bureau of Justice Statistics;
Whereas most female victims of intimate partner violence
have been victimized by the same offender previously;
Whereas domestic violence is cited as a significant factor
in homelessness among families;
Whereas research shows that households in which children
are abused or neglected are likely to have a higher rate of
intimate partner violence;
Whereas millions of children are exposed to domestic
violence each year;
Whereas victims of domestic violence experience immediate
and long-term negative outcomes, including detrimental
effects on mental and physical health;
Whereas crisis hotlines serving domestic violence operate
24 hours per day, 365 days per year, and offer important--
(1) crisis intervention;
(2) support;
(3) information; and
(4) referrals for victims;
Whereas staff and volunteers of domestic violence shelters
and programs in the United States, in cooperation with 56
State and territorial coalitions against domestic violence,
serve--
(1) thousands of adults and children each day; and
(2) at least 1,000,000 adults and children each year;
Whereas law enforcement officers in the United States put
their lives at risk each day by responding to incidents of
domestic violence, which can be among the most volatile and
deadly disturbance calls;
Whereas Congress first demonstrated a significant
commitment to supporting victims of domestic violence through
the landmark enactment of the Family Violence Prevention and
Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.);
Whereas Congress has remained committed to protecting
survivors of all forms of domestic violence and sexual abuse
by making Federal funding available to support the activities
that are authorized under--
(1) the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42
U.S.C. 10401 et seq.); and
(2) the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13925
et seq.);
[[Page S5851]]
Whereas there is a need to continue to support programs and
activities aimed at domestic violence intervention and
domestic violence prevention in the United States; and
Whereas individuals and organizations that are dedicated to
preventing and ending domestic violence should be recognized:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That--
(1) the Senate supports the goals and ideals of “National
Domestic Violence Awareness Month”; and
(2) it is the sense of the Senate that Congress should--
(A) continue to raise awareness of domestic violence in the
United States and the corresponding devastating effects of
domestic violence on survivors, families, and communities;
and
(B) pledge continued support for programs designed--
(i) to assist survivors;
(ii) to hold perpetrators accountable; and
(iii) to bring an end to domestic violence.
