HCR209SEP30

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending September 30, 2005

H.CON.RES.209 Supporting the goals and ideals of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and expressing the sense of Congress that Congress should raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating effects on families.

BRIEF

The Resolution preamble notes that domestic violence has dropped since 1994 from 5.4 victims per thousand persons to 2.1 victims per thousand persons, but historical data reveals that 22 percent of murders were family murders and family members were responsible for 43 percent of murders of women. The average age of a child killed by a parent is 7 years old and four out of five victims killed by a parent were under age thirteen.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.

Sponsor: Representative Al Green (D-TX-9^th)

Vote: Passed House 404 to 9 (RC 496) September 27, 2005

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

Whereas since the Violence Against Women Act was passed in 1994, the rate of domestic violence has diminished; the rate of family violence fell between 1993 and 2002 from 5.4 victims to 2.1 victims per 1,000 United States residents age 12 or older;

Whereas although great strides have been made toward breaking the cycle of violence, much work remains to be done;

Whereas domestic violence affects women, men, and children of all racial, social, religious, ethnic, and economic groups in the United States;

Whereas family violence accounted for 11 percent of all reported and unreported violence between 1998 and 2002;

Whereas about 22 percent of murders in 2002 were family murders;

Whereas family members were responsible for 43 percent of murders of females in 2002;

Whereas of the nearly 500,000 men and women in State prisons for a violent crime in 1997, 15 percent were there for a violent crime against a family member;

Whereas the average age for a child killed by a parent is 7 years old and 4 out of 5 victims killed by a parent were younger than 13 years old;

Whereas there is a need to increase the public awareness and understanding of domestic violence and the needs of battered women and children;

Whereas the month of October, 2005, has been recognized as an appropriate month for activities furthering awareness of domestic violence; and

Whereas the dedication and success of those working tirelessly to end domestic violence and the strength of the survivors of domestic violence should be recognized: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that Congress should raise awareness of domestic violence in the Nation by supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

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