Rep. Pagan offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 407.

            A resolution to declare October 2018 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched nationwide in October 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues and raise awareness for those issues; and

            Whereas, The coalition defines domestic violence as the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse; and

            Whereas, Domestic violence is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality; and

            Whereas, The devastating physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime; and

            Whereas, Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the U.S. have experienced physical violence, sexual violence and/or stalking by a partner resulting in injury, fear, concern for safety, and/or needing services; and

            Whereas, On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide and the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500 %; and

            Whereas, Between 21-60 % percent of victims of intimate partner violence lose their jobs due to reasons stemming from the abuse. Victims of intimate partner violence lose a total of 8 million days of paid work each year; and

            Whereas, Studies suggest that there is a relationship between intimate partner violence and depression and suicidal behavior; and

            Whereas, According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, many dynamics of power and control are rooted in gender roles and stereotypes. One way to combat these ingrained inequalities is through conscious action and education; and

            Whereas, Throughout the last three decades, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors and to hold abusers accountable. Continued awareness, education, and action are crucial to prevention; and

            Whereas, We must work together to educate our entire population about what can be done to prevent domestic violence, support the individual and unique needs of survivors, and ensure that survivors are not re-victimized; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare October 2018 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. We strongly support the efforts of national, state, and local partners, and every citizen to actively engage in public and private efforts to prevent domestic violence. We will take appropriate action and support one another to create a safer environment in order to help end domestic violence.