PRINTER'S NO. 1240
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
247
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY HANNA, ROZZI, BISHOP, SCHREIBER, BAKER, McNEILL,
COHEN, SCHWEYER, KINSEY, PASHINSKI, CALTAGIRONE, O'BRIEN,
McCARTER, BROWNLEE, MURT, DeLUCA, ROEBUCK AND FARINA,
APRIL 16, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 16, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Urging Pennsylvania's professional sports teams to adopt a zero-
tolerance domestic violence policy.
WHEREAS, Domestic violence includes any threatening or
abusive behavior used to establish power and control over an
intimate partner; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence is perpetrated against individuals
regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion,
profession or gender; and
WHEREAS, Victims of domestic violence can be married to,
living with or dating the assailant; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence affects people of all
socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence takes many forms and victims are
often subjected to abuse, harassment, threats, vandalism,
trespassing, burglary, theft and stalking; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence often escalates, causing victims
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to suffer physical and emotional trauma, anxiety, stress, sleep
deprivation, loss of confidence, fear and in some cases, injury
and death by suicide or homicide; and
WHEREAS, Studies show that up to 10 million children witness
some form of domestic violence annually; and
WHEREAS, Men who witnessed domestic violence in their homes
as children are twice as likely to abuse their spouses than men
who are children of nonviolent parents; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence is one of the most chronically
underreported crimes and there are many barriers to detecting
domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, One in four women and one in seven men will be the
victim of severe violence by an intimate partner in their
lifetime; and
WHEREAS, Three women are murdered every day by a current or
former male partner in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
reports that 141 Pennsylvania residents lost their lives to
domestic violence in 2014 alone; and
WHEREAS, The number one reason domestic violence survivors
stay or return to the abusive relationship is because the abuser
controls access to money, leaving them with no financial
resources to break free; and
WHEREAS, Residents of this Commonwealth and citizens of this
nation have been stunned by news reports of domestic violence,
particularly stories of professional athletes harming or
threatening to harm their spouses; and
WHEREAS, These news reports have revealed that violent
behavior is a deep and pervasive problem among some
professional athletes; and
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WHEREAS, Players on professional sports teams are considered
role models, and while many may not choose to be role models,
their participation in games that are enjoyed by millions of
American men, women and children puts a spotlight on their every
action; and
WHEREAS, It is critical that a zero-tolerance policy for
domestic violence be adopted by professional sports team owners,
coaches, staff and players; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge
Pennsylvania's professional sports teams to adopt a zero-
tolerance domestic violence policy; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the owners of each of Pennsylvania's professional sports teams.
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