HR 9043

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing October 2010 as "Domestic
3	Violence Awareness Month."
4
5	WHEREAS, domestic violence touches the lives of Americans
6	of all ages, leaving a devastating impact on women, men, and
7	children of every background and circumstance, and
8	WHEREAS, a family's home becomes a place of fear,
9	hopelessness, and desperation when a person is battered by her
10	or his partner or a child witnesses the abuse of a loved one,
11	and
12	WHEREAS, victims of violence often suffer in silence, not
13	knowing where to turn, with little or no guidance and support,
14	and
15	WHEREAS, there are almost 200 homicides and over 113,000
16	total criminal offenses annually attributed to domestic violence
17	in this state, and
18	WHEREAS, Florida has 42 certified domestic violence
19	shelters that provided services to more than 14,500 victims of
20	domestic violence and their children in 2008, and
21	WHEREAS, during this month, we rededicate ourselves to
22	addressing the horrific crime of domestic violence and pledge
23	our commitment to end domestic violence in Florida, recognizing
24	that domestic violence can be prevented, NOW, THEREFORE,
25
26	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
27	Florida:
28
29	That October 2010 is recognized as "Domestic Violence
30	Awareness Month" in the State of Florida, and the Florida House
31	of Representatives calls upon the people of Florida, especially
32	local police chiefs, sheriffs, judges, state attorneys,
33	representatives from area domestic violence centers, and other
34	interested citizens, to observe Domestic Violence Awareness
35	Month through activities and ceremonies that seek to increase
36	the accountability and change the behavior of the people in our
37	communities who abuse their partners and their children.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.