Title
To declare the month of October 2011 Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Columbus, Ohio.
Body
WHEREAS, in October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. In 1989 the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence is a pattern of abusive and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks, as well as economic coercion, that adults or adolescents use against their intimate partners; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence transcends gender, race, age, religion, and socio-economic status; and
WHEREAS, despite tremendous progress, an average of three women die as a result of domestic violence each day and one person every 15 seconds is abused in a domestic dispute somewhere in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the statewide Purple Light Nights® campaign, kicked-off here in Columbus on October 5, 2011, will host activities throughout the month focused on mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, connecting those who work to end violence, and shining a light on those still living in abuse; and
WHEREAS, observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month serves to raise awareness about the need to eliminate violence and all other forms of oppression against all communities and families during the month of October and year-round; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare the month of October 2011 Domestic Violence Prevention Month and recognize the victims of domestic violence as well as those who work to end abuse.