THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	36
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

encouraging participation in the 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 between $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 urge men to show their support for:

     (1)  Ending men's violence against women;

     (2)  Raising awareness of the problem in the community;

     (3)  Conducting educational work in schools, workplaces, and communities; and

     (4)  Supporting organizations that assist with the consequences of violence against women;

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 and black arm band encourages reflection and discussion that will lead to personal and collective action among men to stop violence against women; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that this body encourages participation in the 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 Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Domestic Violence; Black Ribbon and Black Arm Band Campaign