Ernst proposes October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) on Oct. 30 introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“Domestic violence deserves a comprehensive effort to address it, and I remain committed to doing everything I can to combat it and to support those who are on the frontlines in helping survivors,” said Sen. Ernst last week.

The senator cosponsored Senate Resolution (S.Res.) 387 with sponsor U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to express the sense of the U.S. Senate that Congress should continue to support efforts to end domestic violence, provide safety for victims of domestic violence and their families, and hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable, according to the text of the resolution.

“As a survivor and someone who worked at a victim help center in college — counseling women through some of the most difficult moments of their lives — I’m pleased to join with my Democratic colleague and partner on addressing this issue, Senator Feinstein,” Sen. Ernst added.

Nearly 12 million Americans are victims of domestic violence in the United States every year, according to Sen. Feinstein, who said, “We should never be silent about the dangers of domestic violence.”

If enacted, S.Res. 387 also would support “the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, commending domestic violence victim advocates, domestic violence victim service providers, crisis hotline staff, and first responders serving victims of domestic violence for their compassionate support of survivors of domestic violence,” according to the resolution’s text.

S.Res. 387 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.