HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	75
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION IN THE STATEWIDE BLACK RIBBON AND BLACK ARM BAND CAMPAIGN AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

     WHEREAS, according to the Surgeon General, United States Public Health Service, domestic violence is a problem of epidemic proportions; and

     WHEREAS, according to the Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse organization, also known as CORA, a woman is abused every nine seconds, 3,000,000 to 10,000,000 children witness domestic violence every year, and one in five high school females experience dating violence; and

     WHEREAS, a fact sheet prepared by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence stated that in 1999, there were 8,013 reported cases of domestic violence in Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, the Honolulu Police Department estimates that it spends up to one-third to one-half of their work time responding to "domestic" calls; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to the physical and psychological effects of domestic violence on the victim and the victim's family, there are job-related consequences; and

     WHEREAS, domestic violence is the number one cause of injury to women, and CORA estimates that it costs the American economy $8,000,000,000 to $10,000,000,000 in absenteeism, medical costs, employee turnover, lost productivity, and other costs; and

     WHEREAS, the goals of the Black Ribbon and Black Arm Band Campaign are to:

     (1)  Urge men, women, youth, and seniors to show their support for ending all forms of domestic violence;

     (2)  Raise awareness of domestic violence in the community;

     (3)  Conduct domestic violence education workshops in schools, workplaces, and communities;

     (4)  Support organizations that deal with the consequences of violence;

     (5)  Empower victims of domestic violence; and

     (6)  Provide a safe haven for victims of domestic violence;

and

     WHEREAS, wearing a black ribbon and black arm band is a statement that an individual will never commit, condone, nor remain silent about violence against women; and

     WHEREAS, wearing a black ribbon or black arm band is a pledge to represent a community free from domestic violence; and

     WHEREAS, wearing a black ribbon and black arm band encourages reflection and discussion that will lead to personal and collective action among men, women, youth, and seniors to stop all forms of domestic violence; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that this body encourages participation in the statewide Black Ribbon and Black Arm Band Campaign against domestic violence; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Human Services, Director of Health, and Executive Director of the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Report Title: 

Domestic Violence; Black Ribbon and Black Arm Band Campaign