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Whereas, Sunday, October 14, 2007 kicks off the 12th annual YWCA Week Without Violence, a public awareness campaign entitled "Creating Peace in Our Community" led by the YWCA to stop the on-going violence in our communities homes; and
Whereas, Violence is a serious problem in both homes and schools that affect men and women of all races and ages. Women are particularly at risk for abuse as 31% of women report being physically or sexually abused during their lifetime and in 2000, 1,247 women and 440 men were murdered by their partner. Violence among youth is also on the rise as 11% of students in grades 6-10 report being a victim of bullying; and
Whereas, The YWCA's Week Without Violence campaign will focus attention on practical and sustainable alternatives to violence with programs at YWCAs, schools, community organizations, neighborhoods, and workplaces nationwide and around the world; and
Whereas, The "Creating Peace in Our Community" campaign will provide local opportunities that will inspire our community to work together to create effective alternatives to violence including prayer, early child violence education, poster, poem, and essay contests, a downtown march, and artistic engagements.
Whereas, The YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh was founded in 1869, and has since served our cities neighborhoods for 137 years. The YWCA, the oldest women's membership movement in the United States, and it has a long history of empowering women and families, fostering racial justice, and preventing violence. The YWCA provides a wide range of programs and services including: battered women's shelters and counseling, childcare, support to victims of rape and sexual assault, job training, sports and fitness, and legal advocacy; and
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh, recognizes and commends the YWCA for all of their hard work and advocacy to end violence in the City of Pittsburgh.
Be It Further Resolved, that th...
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