Title
To Recognize the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October, 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence to connect battered women's advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children; and
WHEREAS, The Day of Unity became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state, and national levels such as: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence; and
WHEREAS, In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed and the first national toll-free hotline was begun; and,
WHEREAS, In 1989, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress. Such legislation has passed every year since with leadership from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and,
WHEREAS, Based on Census figures, almost 100,000 women in Franklin County will experience some form of domestic violence during their life; and
WHEREAS, Nearly one-third of the Municipal Court's arraignment docket is spent on crimes of domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, Annually Columbus police respond to approximately 23,000 domestic violence calls and makes approximately 5,000 domestic violence arrests; and
WHEREAS, The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence has improved the way individuals and institutions in Central Ohio think about and respond to family violence by forming alliances with corporate, medical, law enforcement, social service agencies, and faith communities, fostering collaboration, raising awareness and developing large-scale initiatives for prevention and intervention; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize Oct...
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