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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COOK COUNTY RECOGNIZES OCTOBER 2023 AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH
WHEREAS, October is nationally known as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a time to uplift the experiences and resilience of survivors, as well as educate and support households experiencing this hardship; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence is a pattern of physical and psychological abuse, threats, intimidation, isolation, or economic coercion used by one person to exert power and control over another person in the context of a dating, familial, or household relationship; and
WHEREAS, intimate partner violence can happen to anyone at any point in a relationship, and affects people of all ages as well as all racial, ethnic, gender, economic, and religious backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, women are disproportionately victims of domestic violence, as 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men ages 18 and older will experience some form of contact sexual violence during their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 41.5% of women in Illinois and 25.90% of men in Illinois experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes; and
WHEREAS, a 2023 data report from The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence indicated that there were 2,405 domestic violence calls and 97 sexual violence calls documented by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in 2022 alone; and
WHEREAS, while Chicago’s population is only composed of 29% of people who identify as Black, 75% of all non-fatal domestic violence related shootings and 66% of domestic violence related homicides in 2022 impacted Black victims; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence shootings in Cook County in 2022 included 64 total incidents, 48 victims injured, 23 victims killed, and 31 suspects arrested.
WHEREAS, in suburban Cook County, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded 5,569 calls related to gender-based violence in 2022. This included 4,177 cases of intimate partner violence, 1,071 cases of sexual violence, and 321 cases of child abuse and neglect.
WHEREAS, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we acknowledge the progress made in this field and embrace the basic human right to be free from violence and abuse, and recognize that more work remains until every individual is able to live free from fear; and
WHEREAS, this month, we recognize the unique circumstances faced by survivors and individuals facing domestic violence due to the public health crisis of COVID-19 and the negative impact it has had on the delivery of social services and access to resources; and
WHEREAS, victims of domestic violence who worked with advocates experienced less violence over time, reported higher quality of life and social support, and had less difficulty obtaining community resources over time, according to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to increase - not reduce - funding for programs aimed at intervening in and preventing domestic violence in Cook County and throughout the United States.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners commends domestic violence victim advocates, victim service providers, crisis hotline staff and first responders for their compassionate support of survivors of domestic violence and commits to raise awareness of domestic violence and the devastating effects of domestic violence on survivors, families, and communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners officially recognizes October 2023 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and calls on the Cook County community to reaffirm their commitment to speaking out against domestic violence, assist victims in finding the help and healing they need, and work collaboratively to ending domestic violence in our community.
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