Whereas, According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), Domestic Violence Awareness Month was launched nationwide in October 1981 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues and raise awareness for those issues; and
Whereas, NCADV defines domestic violence as the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse; and
Whereas, Domestic violence impacts individuals in every community of our state, regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality; and
Whereas, Perpetrators of domestic violence intentionally engage in a pattern of behavior to exert coercive control in intimate partner relationships, violating the fundamental human rights of those they abuse; and
Whereas, According to the NCADV, 41.8 percent of Michigan women and 23 percent of Michigan men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lives. In fact, in just a single day in 2019, 16 Michigan domestic violence programs provided services to 417 adult and child survivors. Another 376 requests for services went unmet due to lack of resources. Annual data from Michigan State Police indicates that there were 69,765 domestic violence incidents reported in 2022 and fatalities rose from eighty-nine deaths in 2010 to 101 in 2022, despite increased awareness; and
Whereas, While throughout the last three decades, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors and to hold abusers accountable, continued awareness, education, and action are crucial to intervention in and prevention of domestic violence; and
Whereas, We must work together to educate our entire population about what can be done to prevent domestic violence, hold perpetrators accountable, support the individual and unique needs of survivors, and ensure that survivors are not victimized; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.
Co-sponsored by Reps.
Adopted in the House by voice vote
