SAMPLE RESOLUTION
Resolution Regarding the
Necessity of Inclusive Domestic Violence Programs
WHEREAS, domestic violence is a significant problem that affects persons in all segments of our society.
WHEREAS, surveys and crime statistics (1) show our country is making progress in the effort to curb domestic violence.
WHEREAS, despite this progress, the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found that more than five million men and nearly five million women still experience some type of violence at the hands of their partners every year (2).
WHEREAS, discriminatory practices have been documented against male (3), LGBT (4), and African-American (5) victims of domestic violence, causing these groups to be Underserved Victim Populations, and such practices violate the principle of equal treatment under the law.
WHEREAS, the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization, approved by a bi-partisan vote and signed into law on March 7, 2013, includes an inclusion mandate that bans discrimination on the basis of “race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.”
WHEREAS, the VAWA inclusion mandate applies to domestic violence shelters, domestic violence coalitions, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and other groups involved in the effort to stop domestic violence.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that it is the intent of the legislature that all said groups involved in the effort to stop domestic violence shall review their policies, procedures, practices, and accommodations to implement the VAWA inclusion mandate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is the intent of the legislature that all said groups involved in the effort to stop domestic violence shall avail themselves of existing resources, research, and services to reach said Underserved Victim Populations (6), and to assure that equal facilities, services, and support are fully available to all victims.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is the intent of the legislature that all said groups involved in the effort to stop domestic violence shall publish periodic reports of their services provided to victims of domestic violence.
Citations:
1. U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2001. http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=1001
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. Atlanta, GA. 2011. http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_report2010-a.pdf
3. Stop Abusive and Violent Environments. Domestic Violence Programs Discriminate Against Male Victims. 2012.
4. National Center for Victims of Crime and the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. Why it Matters. 2010. http://www.avp.org/resources/avp-resources/136
5. Tricia Bent-Goodley. Perceptions of Domestic Violence: A Dialogue with African American Women. Health and Social Work Vol. 29, No. 4. 2004.
6. SAVE. Inclusive-VAWA Resource Center. http://www.saveservices.org/inclusive-vawa/resources/