PRINTER'S NO. 1188
No. 88 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, KITCHEN AND BELL, JUNE 12, 2001
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 12, 2001
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing June 12, 2001, as "National Domestic Violence Health
2 Care Standards Campaign Kick-Off Day" in Pennsylvania and
3 urging Congress to recognize the campaign and promote
4 nationwide screening for domestic violence.
5 WHEREAS, Between 2 and 4 million women each year are victims
6 of domestic violence nationally; and
7 WHEREAS, At least 800,000 Pennsylvanians are victims of
8 domestic violence each year; and
9 WHEREAS, Domestic violence is a health care problem of
10 epidemic proportions; and
11 WHEREAS, Medical professionals have a unique opportunity to
12 intervene in domestic violence as they are often the first
13 resource a battered victim seeks for help; and
14 WHEREAS, Health care providers can be a critical link to
15 safety by offering support, information, education, resources
16 and follow-up services to patients who are identified as victims
17 of domestic violence; and
18 WHEREAS, Approximately only 10% of primary care physicians
1 across the nation routinely screen for partner abuse when a
2 patient is not currently injured; and
3 WHEREAS, The General Assembly recognized the importance of
4 screening patients for symptoms of domestic violence in enacting
5 Act 115 of 1998, which established the Domestic Health Care
6 Response Program; and
7 WHEREAS, Act 115 of 1998 made Pennsylvania the first state in
8 the nation to establish patient screening and advocacy programs
9 in hospitals and health care systems; and
10 WHEREAS, The Family Violence Prevention Fund recognized
11 Pennsylvania as the only state to receive an "A" grade for laws
12 regarding health care response to domestic violence; and
13 WHEREAS, A team from Pennsylvania has joined teams from 14
14 other states and tribes and the Family Violence Prevention Fund
15 to create innovative and sustainable health care responses to
16 domestic violence on a national level through the National
17 Health Care Standards Campaign; therefore be it
18 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
19 recognize June 12, 2001, as "National Domestic Violence Health
20 Care Standards Campaign Kick-Off Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it
21 further
22 RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage Pennsylvanians and health
23 care professionals in this Commonwealth to learn more about the
24 causes, signs, prevention and treatment for domestic violence;
25 and be it further
26 RESOLVED, That the Senate urge the Congress of the United
27 States to recognize the "National Domestic Violence Health Care
28 Standards Campaign" and to promote the screening of patients for
29 domestic violence by health care professionals across the
30 nation; and be it further
20010S0088R1188 - 2 -
1 RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
2 the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each
3 member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
E10L82JS/20010S0088R1188 - 3 -