H. R. 19

(By Delegates Fleischauer, Martin, Staton, Amores, Douglas,
Compton, Laird, Caputo, Capito, Osborne and Mahan)

[Introduced February 12, 1998]

H. R. 19 -- "Declaring February 12, 1998, to be Domestic Violence Prevention Day in West Virginia."
Whereas, All people have a right to be safe in their homes and with their families; and
Whereas, Domestic violence is a major health and law- enforcement problem in our State with enormous costs in both dollars and human lives; and
Whereas, Children suffer both as victims of physical assault or by witnessing violence in their homes, which can cause deep and lasting emotional harm, especially if the violence results in the death of a parent or other household member; and
Whereas, Recent crime statistics reveal that one third of West Virginia's homicides are domestic violence related; and
Whereas, Filings for domestic violence protection orders have dramatically increased in our courts; and
Whereas, Domestic violence affects people of both sexes, all races and ethnic backgrounds and all socioeconomic classes; and
Whereas, Domestic or family violence can be deterred, prevented or reduced by legal intervention that treats this problem with the seriousness that it deserves; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the West Virginia House of Delegates declares February 12, 1998, to be Domestic Violence Prevention Day in West Virginia and commits itself to treating this problem with the seriousness that it deserves and working to achieving legal solutions that deter, prevent and reduce domestic violence.