PRINTER'S NO. 1324
No. 104 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, EARLL, COSTA, TOMLINSON, LOGAN, KITCHEN,
MUSTO, ROBBINS, DENT, ERICKSON, MURPHY AND THOMPSON,
SEPTEMBER 25, 2001
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, SEPTEMBER 25, 2001
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the month of October as "Domestic Violence Awareness
2 Month" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, At least 800,000 Pennsylvanians each year are
4 victims of domestic violence; and
5 WHEREAS, Approximately 1,800 murders nationally are
6 attributed to domestic violence each year; and
7 WHEREAS, According to FBI statistics, a woman is beaten every
8 15 seconds; and
9 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is the first state in the nation to
10 institute domestic violence universal screening; and
11 WHEREAS, The importance of screening patients for symptoms of
12 domestic violence was emphasized by this legislature most
13 recently by the passage of Act 115 of 1998, which establishes
14 the Domestic Violence Health Care Response Program; and
15 WHEREAS, For the second straight year, the Family Violence
16 Prevention Fund (FVPF) has designated Pennsylvania as the only
17 State in the nation to receive an "A" grade in regards to its
1 domestic violence health care laws; and
2 WHEREAS, According to the Department of Justice, nearly 50%
3 of all domestic violence acts are witnessed by children; and
4 WHEREAS, Battery is a leading cause of injury to women; and
5 WHEREAS, Studies show that battered women who work face a
6 high likelihood of losing their jobs because of domestic
7 violence: 55% missed work and over 60% were late for work; and
8 WHEREAS, All Pennsylvanians should be made aware of the
9 multitude of symptoms and signs associated with domestic
10 violence; and
11 WHEREAS, Approximately only 10% of primary care physicians
12 across the nation routinely screen patients for partner abuse
13 when not currently injured; therefore be it
14 RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of October 2001
15 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania; and be
16 it further
17 RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage all Pennsylvanians to
18 learn more about the causes, signs, prevention and treatment for
19 domestic violence.
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