Senator Katie Hobbs Reads Domestic Violence Proclamation

On March 13, 2013, Senator Katie Hobbs read the Domestic Violence Proclamation on the House floor in Phoenix, Arizona in celebration of Stop Violence Against Women Day organized by the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Whereas, domestic violence is an epidemic affecting Americans and Arizonans in all communities, regardless of age, color, class, gender, economic status, race, nationality, religion, or educational background; and

Whereas, one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, and

Whereas, domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used by one partner to gain power and control over the other and can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone; and

Whereas, there were 116 domestic violence-related deaths in Arizona in 2012, signaling that this is a lethal crime that needs our utmost attention, and

Whereas, domestic violence shelters and non-residential programs serve thousands of victims in Arizona each year; and

Whereas, almost half of those served in domestic violence shelters are children exposed to domestic violence; and

Whereas, domestic violence programs offer emergency shelter, transportation, transitional housing, crisis hotlines, lay legal advocacy, job training, child care, and support groups, among other services; and

Whereas, the crime of domestic violence violates a victim's liberty, well-being, and right to safety; and

Whereas, in the past year, over 80% of programs reported an increase in demand for their services, signaling a continued need for the state of Arizona to support them; and

Whereas, domestic violence advocates help empower victims to regain control over their lives and live free from abuse; and

Whereas,

Therefore
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona:
1. That the Members of the Legislature strongly support domestic violence shelters and non-residential programs in their work to keep victims and their children safe.
2. That the Members of the Legislature commend the advocates who work tirelessly at these programs throughout Arizona.
3. That the Members of the Legislature disapprove of the actions of any national, state, or local group attempting to prevent domestic violence programs from effectively serving victims of domestic violence.

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