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WHEREAS, stalking crimes are a threat to our nation and our communities, with approximately 1,000,000 women and 370,000 men stalked annually in the United States; and
WHEREAS, a stalker can be anyone - a current or former intimate partner of the victim, a non-intimate acquaintance or a stranger; and that a victim of a stalking can be anyone in our neighborhood, workplace, school, circle of friends or family; and
WHEREAS, stalking victims need and deserve to participate in criminal and juvenile justice processes through the rights to information and notification, to be heard, to protection, and to be present at any hearing or court proceeding; and
WHEREAS ,we appreciate and honor the many individuals, organizations and agencies such as Womensplace, Women's Center and Shelter, Alle-Kiski Hope Center, Crisis Center North and the National Council of Jewish Women who work on behalf of domestic violence and stalking victims; and
WHEREAS, law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, correctional professionals, victim service providers and the community as a whole play a critical role in enhancing the safety of domestic violence and stalking victims, and the safety of those around them, and in holding stalkers and abusers accountable; and
WHEREAS, there were 28 domestic violence deaths in Allegheny County and a total of 151 deaths in surrounding counties in 2004; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to commit our collective energies and resources to promote collaboration between agencies to ultimately raise the awareness of domestic violence in our communities;
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh proclaim the month of January 2006 to be Stalking Awareness Month in the City of Pittsburgh, to bring attention to this crime of terror, and to honor stalking and domestic violence victims and those who serve them during this month and throughout the year.