2025 House Resolution 185

Whereas, According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), Domestic Violence Awareness Month was launched nationwide in October 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues and raise awareness for those issues; and

Whereas, NCADV defines domestic violence as the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse; and

Whereas, Domestic violence impacts individuals in every community of our state, regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality; and

Whereas, Perpetrators of domestic violence intentionally engage in a pattern of behavior to exert coercive control in intimate partner relationships, violating the fundamental human rights of those they abuse; and

Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 41 percent of women have experienced and reported domestic violence during their lifetime. In 2018, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) accounted for 20 percent of all violent crimes. In Michigan, 69,763 incidents of domestic violence were reported to police in 2022, according to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, with the majority of incidents occurring between intimate or formerly intimate partners; and

Whereas, The economic cost to the individual and society is substantial. The CDC estimates that the lifetime economic cost associated with medical services for IPV-related injuries, lost productivity from paid work, criminal justice, and other costs, is $3.6 trillion; and

Whereas, While throughout the last three decades, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors and to hold abusers accountable, continued awareness, education, and action are crucial to intervention in and prevention of domestic violence; and

Whereas, The recent murder of Latricia Green at her workplace at Henry Ford Hospital by her ex-husband illustrates we have much work to do. She only received a Personal Protection (PPO) on her second attempt, but it was never served to her ex-husband; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.