Declaring October as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month".

WHEREAS, “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” is being sponsored locally by Women Against Abuse and, through their sponsorship, they are encouraging everyone to help to increase the awareness of domestic violence in our homes and communities and decrease its negative impact on Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, the Philadelphia Police Department responded to more than 115,000 domestic abuse calls and domestic violence is not just a local problem but a national issue where more than three women a day are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States and, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that women experience two million injuries from intimate partner violence each year; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1976, the mission of Women Against Abuse is to provide quality and compassionate services, in a manner that fosters self respect and independence in persons who have been victimized by domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, Women Against Abuse has grown to become one of the largest domestic violence programs in the United States, created the nation's first legal center devoted to victims of domestic violence, founded the only emergency shelter in the City exclusively for abused women and their children; and

WHEREAS, Women Against Abuse provides education and training to the community about domestic violence issues and resources and has partnered with the City of Philadelphia, Lutheran Settlement House, Women in Transition, and Congreso de Latino Unidos to operate the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline and, in 2011, over 9,000 calls were answered through the Hotline; and

WHEREAS, To support victims of domestic violence, Women Against Abuse also operates a 12-unit transitional housing program called Sojourner House, which enables victims to take the crucial first steps to reclaim their lives and move forward toward a brighter future; and

WHEREAS, To support its mission and work, Women Against Abuse will hold its 6th Annual iPledge Press Campaign (

www.iPledgeWAA.org

) as a social awareness initiative to promote knowledge about domestic violence and to build community support so that all Philadelphians will take a stand against violence; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Declares and recognizes October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Women Against Abuse as a sincere expression of City Council's gratitude, appreciation, and commendation for raising the public's awareness regarding domestic violence.

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