Title
To declare the month of October 2020 to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Columbus, and to recognize CHOICES For Victims of Domestic Violence for their ongoing efforts to raise awareness for domestic violence prevention.
Body
WHEREAS, Domestic violence impacts men, women and children of every age, background, and belief - nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the United States have suffered abuse from an intimate partner; and
WHEREAS, each year, 1 in 15 children are exposed to domestic violence and 1/3 of female homicides result from domestic violence committed by an intimate partner - last year there were more than 17,259 domestic violence calls in Columbus and Central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, Data from the CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) indicates that: domestic violence can be diminished by educating and empowering communities to develop and maintain healthy relationship skills; and
WHEREAS, CHOICES For Victims of Domestic Violence has a mission to interrupt the cycle of domestic violence by responding to those in need, educating our community and advocating for social change; and
WHEREAS, CHOICES is a part of the Lutheran Social Services family of programs and a domestic violence safe haven in Franklin County, offering 120 beds, a 24-hour crisis and information hotline, counseling services, support groups, legal and community advocates for those impacted by domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, CHOICES provided safe shelter to over 600 people in fiscal year 2020, which equaled nearly 44,486 nights - in addition, the 24-hour hotline received more than 4464 calls, 646 children received shelter, over 257 people were served by counseling programs and more than 335 clients were helped by legal advocates; and
WHEREAS, Educating communities on the necessity of developing and maintaining healthy relationships, as well as providing safe shelter, and support for those in need, CHOICES For Victims of Domestic Violence along with its team of counselors, community and legal advocates provides a beacon of hope for those currently in abusive relationships, and acts as an inspiration for others who are committed to preventing domestic violence, now therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council appreciates the importance of preventing domestic violence and does hereby recognize the month of October 2020 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Columbus.