Title
To declare the month of October, 2014 to be Domestic Violence Prevention Month in Columbus, Ohio
Body
WHEREAS, in 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed, with the U.S. Congress following suit in 1989, 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, such violence, both psychological and physical, increases the likelihood of damaging behavioral and mental conditions, such as depression and suicidal behaviors; and
WHEREAS, despite tremendous progress, an average of nearly 20 people per minute are victims of physical violence by an intimate partner in the United States, equating to nearly 10 million women and men per year; and
WHEREAS, annually, Columbus police respond to approximately 6,000-7,000 domestic violence calls and approximately 4,000 domestic violence charges are filed at the Franklin County Municipal Court; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence represents a set of crimes that transcend gender, race, age, religion, and socio-economic status; 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 in the City of Columbus and nationwide, year-round; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare October, 2014 to be Domestic Violence Prevention Month and recognizes the victims of domestic violence as well as those who work to end abuse.