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WHEREAS, Domestic Violence Awareness Month has been recognized nationwide as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations in order to raise awareness of domestic violence issues and be a voice to its victims; and,
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WHEREAS, every year, approximately 10 million people become victims of domestic violence, which equates to just about 20 people every minute. It affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality and its devastating consequences can cross generations and last a lifetime; and,
WHEREAS, its harmful acts can be in the form of physical, sexual, financial, or emotional abuse and control and is often a part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance that can result in psychological trauma and even death. In December 2020, the City of Pittsburgh Domestic Violence Unit published a valuable resource guide for victims of Intimate Partner Violence, including how to file a Protection from Abuse Order; and,
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic compounded the issues of domestic violence with many victims having increased time in isolation with their abusers and limited contact with support networks which makes it more difficult to access lifesaving services. The pandemic made it challenging for City of Pittsburgh Domestic Violence Detectives to complete complex home visits and instead relied on phone call interactions to make sure that every victim was provided with necessary resources; and,
WHEREAS, you can help a victim by checking in with them regularly, lending an ear, being available to them, researching shelters and having numbers close by, calling police when you hear and/or witness an abusive situation, and, when they are ready, help with an escape plan, all of which could save a life; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Domestic Violence Unit for their work in pr...
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