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WHEREAS, the crime of domestic violence was not given a name nor recognized as a national problem until the early 1970s when it was found to be a violation of an individual's privacy and dignity, security and humanity, due to systematic use of physical, emotional, sexual, psychological and economic control and/or abuse including abuse to children and the elderly; and,
WHEREAS, the problems of domestic violence are not confined to any group or groups of people, but cut across all economic, racial and societal barriers in fact 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner, and 1 in 4 teens say their boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; and,
WHEREAS, Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (WC&S), founded in 1974, was one of the first six shelters in the United States for women who were victims of domestic violence and is currently one of a handful of shelters located in the Pittsburgh area; and,
WHEREAS, the mission of Women's Center and Shelter is to end intimate partner violence in the lives of women and their children by providing a sanctuary for victims, valuable resources, supporting them through the legal system, teaching children alternative responses to violence, educating the public and advocating for system changes to alter societal attitudes, behaviors and responses to domestic violence; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the work done by the Women's Center and Shelter and urge all citizens to actively participate in activities and programs to work toward improving victim safety holding perpetrators of domestic abuse accountable for their actions against individuals and our society as a whole; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare the month of October, 2010, to be "National Domestic Violence Awareness Month" in the City of Pittsburgh.