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Declaring October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia
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WHEREAS, Every Philadelphian deserves to live free from fear and abuse, yet domestic violence continues to impact individuals and families across every neighborhood and background; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence includes physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as coercive control, with lasting effects on survivors, children, families, and our entire community; and
WHEREAS, No one should have to suffer in silence or choose between their safety and stability, and every survivor deserves compassion, accessible resources, and meaningful support to rebuild their life; and
WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month reminds us that ending abuse requires year-round advocacy, action, and a shared commitment to ensuring that no survivor must face these challenges alone; and
WHEREAS, For five decades, Women Against Abuse has stood alongside Philadelphia survivors and families, providing essential services, advocacy, and education to help individuals find safety, stability, and healing; and
WHEREAS, Through trauma-informed services, Women Against Abuse touches the lives of more than 10,000 people annually through emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, safety planning, and other resources that support survivors on their path toward independence; and
WHEREAS, In partnership with the City of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative, comprised of Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Lutheran Settlement House, Women In Transition, and Women Against Abuse, provides critical domestic violence services, including the operation of the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline, which offers confidential, 24-hour crisis intervention, safety planning, and connections to essential community resources; and
WHEREAS, This work is strengthened by Love Shouldn’t Hurt, Madre Tierra, and other community partners that connect survivors and their families to safe housing, counseling, legal assistance, and culturally responsive care; and
WHEREAS, Through the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative and the City’s Office of Domestic Violence Strategies, community organizations and government agencies work together through Shared Safety Philadelphia to strengthen prevention, improve access to services, and coordinate support for those impacted by domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, Every survivor deserves to be heard, respected, and supported without barriers related to language, immigration status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or financial circumstances, and must be empowered to make decisions about their own safety and future; and
WHEREAS, While October serves as a time to raise awareness of domestic violence and honor survivors, preventing abuse and supporting those impacted requires year-round commitment, continued advocacy, and access to critical resources and services throughout the City of Philadelphia; and now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Declares October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia, honors Women Against Abuse and its community partners for their decades of service and advocacy, and calls upon all Philadelphians to stand together to end domestic violence and build safer, healthier communities for all.
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