Declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia.
WHEREAS, One in three women, one in four men, and nearly half of all LGBTQIA+ people will experience domestic violence at some point over their lifetimes; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence is not a private, family issue; it is a widespread, community problem that requires comprehensive community solutions. We must acknowledge this, so we can work collectively towards ending domestic violence and creating safe, healthy communities for everyone; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the Philadelphia Police Department responds to more than 100,000 domestic violence related calls. However, domestic violence extends far beyond Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence is a pervasive national issue where, every minute, 24 people are victims of physical violence, rape, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. This amounts to more than 12 million people annually, and it results in loss of life for more than four individuals each day; and
WHEREAS, Amidst a time of great division, we are calling for a coming together to prevent intimate partner violence and build a community where every member can thrive; and
WHEREAS, In declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, The City of Philadelphia commits to supporting the strong Philadelphia network of advocates, survivors, supporters, and organizations working to end relationship abuse and foster a culture that ensures survivors find the help they need; and
WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is being sponsored locally by Women Against Abuse and Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Lutheran Settlement House’s Bilingual Domestic Violence Program, and Women In Transition, and through their sponsorship, they are encouraging everyone to help to increase the awareness of domestic violence in our homes and communities and to decrease its negative impact on Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Women Against Abuse is Philadelphia’s comprehensive domestic violence service provider, touching the lives of 10,000 people each year through emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal services, hotline counseling, and community education and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, Women Against Abuse and its partners, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Lutheran Settlement House’s Bilingual Domestic Violence Program, and Women In Transition, make up the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative provides a comprehensive continuum of services to survivors of domestic violence and their families in Philadelphia, which includes safe housing, legal aid, counseling, medical advocacy and behavioral health services; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative provides life-saving resources to victims, as well as education and training to the community about domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative partners with the City of Philadelphia to operate the 24-hour toll-free Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline that provides callers with crisis intervention, safety planning and linkages to community resources, including intake into Women Against Abuse’s emergency safe havens; and
WHEREAS, In fiscal year 2024, more than 9,739 calls were answered via the Hotline providing lifesaving responses; and
WHEREAS, To ensure a more holistic approach to addressing violence in our community, the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative is partnering with the City Administration’s Office of Domestic Violence Strategies and over 70 different community stakeholders to implement “Shared Safety: Philadelphia’s Response to Relational Violence”, a citywide plan to respond to domestic violence in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, To support a coordinated community response to domestic violence, the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Collaborative Organizations will hold events throughout the month of October to promote awareness 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 in the City of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Women Against Abuse, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Lutheran Settlement House’s Bilingual Domestic Violence Program, and Women In Transition as a sincere expression of City Council’s gratitude, appreciation, and commendation for raising the public’s awareness regarding domestic violence.