PRINTER'S NO. 3448
No. 478 Session of 2000
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, SCHULER, GEORGE, GORDNER, FICHTER, PIPPY,
SATHER, HESS, THOMAS, CAPPABIANCA, LESCOVITZ, BARRAR,
ARMSTRONG, BELARDI, ROSS, S. MILLER, CORRIGAN, WOJNAROSKI,
NAILOR, STABACK, WRIGHT, M. COHEN, HARHAI, WILLIAMS, DeWEESE,
GEIST, FLEAGLE, HERSHEY, READSHAW, S. H. SMITH, MASLAND,
HERMAN, McGILL, LEH, ARGALL, ROEBUCK, MARSICO, MANN, STURLA,
SEYFERT, BARD AND PLATTS, MAY 2, 2000
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MAY 2, 2000
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the month of October as "Domestic Violence Awareness
2 Month" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, At least 800,000 Pennsylvanians each year are
4 victims of domestic violence; and
5 WHEREAS, Approximately 1,800 murders nationally are
6 attributed to domestic violence each year; and
7 WHEREAS, According to FBI statistics, a woman is beaten every
8 15 seconds; and
9 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is the first state in the nation to
10 institute domestic violence universal screening; and
11 WHEREAS, The importance of screening patients for symptoms of
12 domestic violence was emphasized by this legislature most
13 recently by the passage of Act 115 of 1998, which establishes
14 the Domestic Violence Health Care Response Program; and
15 WHEREAS, According to the Department of Justice, nearly 50%
1 of all domestic violence acts are witnessed by children; and
2 WHEREAS, Battery is a leading cause of injury to women; and
3 WHEREAS, Studies show that battered women who work face a
4 high likelihood of losing their jobs because of domestic
5 violence: 55% missed work and over 60% were late for work; and
6 WHEREAS, All Pennsylvanians should be made aware of the
7 multitude of symptoms and signs associated with domestic
8 violence; and
9 WHEREAS, Approximately only 10% of primary care physicians
10 across the nation routinely screen patients for partner abuse
11 when not currently injured; therefore be it
12 RESOLVED, The House of Representatives designate the month of
13 October 2000 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" in
14 Pennsylvania; and be it further
15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all
16 Pennsylvanians to learn more about the causes, signs, prevention
17 and treatment for domestic violence.
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