III 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 293 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness 

Month, commending domestic violence victim advocates, domestic violence 

victim service providers, crisis hotline staff, and first responders serving 

victims of domestic violence for their compassionate support of victims 

of domestic violence, and expressing the sense of the Senate that Congress should continue to support efforts to end domestic violence and 

hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

OCTOBER 22, 2015 

Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. LEAHY, Ms. AYOTTE, and Ms. KLOBUCHAR) 

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 

on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, commending domestic violence 

victim advocates, domestic violence victim service providers, crisis hotline staff, and first responders serving 

victims of domestic violence for their compassionate support of victims of domestic violence, and expressing the 

sense of the Senate that Congress should continue to 

support efforts to end domestic violence and hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable. 

Whereas domestic violence victim advocates, domestic violence 

service providers, domestic violence first responders, and 


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•SRES 293 IS 

other individuals in the United States observe the month 

of October, 2015, as ‘‘National Domestic Violence Awareness Month’’ in order to increase awareness in the United 

States about the issue of domestic violence; 

Whereas it is estimated that each year up to 9,000,000 individuals in the United States are victims of intimate partner violence, including— 

(1) physical violence; 

(2) rape; or 

(3) stalking; 

Whereas more than 1 in 5 women in the United States and 

up to 1 in 7 men in the United States have experienced 

severe physical violence by an intimate partner; 

Whereas domestic violence affects women, men, and children 

of every age and background, but women— 

(1) experience more domestic violence than men; and 

(2) are significantly more likely than men to be injured during an assault by an intimate partner; 

Whereas women aged 18 to 34 typically experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence, according to the 

Bureau of Justice Statistics; 

Whereas most female victims of intimate partner violence 

have been victimized by the same offender previously; 

Whereas domestic violence is cited as a significant factor in 

homelessness among families; 

Whereas research shows that households in which children 

are abused or neglected are likely to have a higher rate 

of intimate partner violence; 

Whereas millions of children are exposed to domestic violence 

each year; 


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•SRES 293 IS 

Whereas victims of domestic violence experience immediate 

and long-term negative outcomes, including detrimental 

effects on mental and physical health; 

Whereas crisis hotlines serving domestic violence operate 24 

hours per day, 365 days per year, and offer important— 

(1) crisis intervention; 

(2) support; 

(3) information; and 

(4) referrals for victims; 

Whereas staff and volunteers of domestic violence shelters 

and programs in the United States, in cooperation with 

56 State and territorial coalitions against domestic violence, serve— 

(1) thousands of adults and children each day; and 

(2) at least 1,000,000 adults and children each year; 

Whereas law enforcement officers in the United States put 

their lives at risk each day by responding to incidents of 

domestic violence, which can be among the most volatile 

and deadly disturbance calls; 

Whereas Congress first demonstrated a significant commitment to supporting victims of domestic violence through 

the landmark enactment of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.); 

Whereas Congress has remained committed to protecting survivors of all forms of domestic violence and sexual abuse 

by making Federal funding available to support the activities that are authorized under— 

(1) the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act 

(42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.); and 

(2) the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 

U.S.C. 13925 et seq.); 


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•SRES 293 IS 

Whereas there is a need to continue to support programs and 

activities aimed at domestic violence intervention and domestic violence prevention in the United States; and 

Whereas individuals and organizations that are dedicated to 

preventing and ending domestic violence should be recognized: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That— 

2 (1) the Senate supports the goals and ideals of 

3 ‘‘National Domestic Violence Awareness Month’’; 

4 and 

5 (2) it is the sense of the Senate that Congress 

6 should— 

7 (A) continue to raise awareness of domes8 tic violence in the United States and the cor9 responding devastating effects of domestic vio10 lence on survivors, families, and communities; 

11 and 

12 (B) pledge continued support for programs 

13 designed— 

14 (i) to assist survivors; 

15 (ii) to hold perpetrators accountable; 

16 and 

17 (iii) to bring an end to domestic vio18 lence. 

Æ 


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