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Declaring October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”
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WHEREAS, “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” is being sponsored locally by Women Against Abuse and, through their sponsorship, they are encouraging everyone to help to increase the awareness of domestic violence in our homes and communities and decrease its negative impact on Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, the Philadelphia Police Department responded to more than 100,000 domestic-related calls and domestic violence is not just a local problem but a national issue where more than three women a day are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1976, the mission of Women Against Abuse is to provide quality and compassionate services, in a manner that fosters self-respect and independence in persons experiencing intimate partner violence and to lead the struggle to end domestic violence through advocacy and community education; and
WHEREAS, 2016 marks the 40th Anniversary of Women Against Abuse, founded as a part-time domestic violence hotline in a neighborhood women’s center, Women Against Abuse has served as a pioneering voice for change – opening Philadelphia’s only emergency safe haven for domestic violence in 1977, launching one of the first legal centers in the nation dedicated to the needs of survivors of domestic violence, establishing the region’s first transitional housing program for survivors in 1987; and continually adapting to the changing needs of people experiencing relationship abuse, including partnering with the Philadelphia Police Department and tripling the number of domestic violence victims receiving free representation for a protection from abuse order by stationing attorneys directly in Philadelphia Family Court; and
WHEREAS, Women Against Abuse, in partnership with Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Lutheran Settlement House’s Bilingual Domestic Violence Program and Women In Transition, the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative provides a comprehensive continuum of services to survivors of domestic violence and their families in Philadelphia, which includes housing, legal aid, counseling, medical advocacy and behavioral health services; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative provides education and training to the community about domestic violence issues and resources and has partnered with the City of Philadelphia to operate the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline and, in fiscal year 2016, approximately 15,000 calls were answered through the Hotline; and
WHEREAS, To ensure a more holistic approach to addressing violence in our community, Women Against Abuse and its sister agencies are partnering with the City administration and over 50 different community stakeholders to implement a citywide strategic plan to respond to domestic violence in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, To support a coordinated community response to domestic violence, Women Against Abuse will hold its 9th Annual iPledge Press Conference on Friday, September 30th at noon in Thomas Paine Plaza as a community awareness initiative to promote knowledge about domestic violence and to build community support so that all Philadelphians will take a stand against violence; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Declares and recognizes October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Women Against Abuse as a sincere expression of City Council’s gratitude and commendation for raising the public’s awareness regarding domestic violence and appreciation for aiding domestic violence victims for 40 years.
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