Title
Recognizing May 28, 2025, as LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia to shed light on domestic, family, and intimate partner violence in LGBTQ+ communities.
Body
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day was first established in Australia by the LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation in 2020 to highlight the domestic, family, and intimate partner violence occurring within the LGBTQ+ community. In 2024, the theme #SeenAndBelieved was used to support LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence; and
WHEREAS, Nationally, LGBTQ+ adults and teens are more likely to experience intimate partner violence than their heterosexual, cisgender peers, and are less likely to find resources to support them; and
WHEREAS, The 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found that about 44% of lesbians, 61% of bisexual women, 26% of gay men, and 37% of bisexual men have reported experiencing rape, physical violence, and/or stalking within an intimate relationship. Additionally, The US Transgender Survey in 2015 found that transgender individuals experience some of the highest levels of intimate partner violence with 54% of individuals reporting experiencing violence within their relationships; and
WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, 32% of LGBTQ+ individuals who received support from the District Attorney's Office are victims in cases with violent acts; and
WHEREAS, According to the DAO's automated tool, which searches arrest writeups for
keywords such as "transgender" or "gay" to identify incidents involving LGBTQ+ individuals, 3 out of every 4 arrests involve domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, One in four LGBTQ+ youth experiences intimate partner violence, which can lead to overwhelming amount of negative social, emotional, and physical outcomes, such as struggling academically leading to suspension or expulsion, and increased anxiety; and
WHEREAS, Many organizations in Philadelphia, like The Attic Youth Cente...
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