03-11-13 Common Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING MARCH 11, 2013 Whereas, the federal legislation would give new powers to Tribal Courts to help protect Native American Women, where the statistics reveal that one in three are the victims of such crimes; and Whereas, the Council recognizes that on February 28, 2013, the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) announced that $12.6 million would be made available in grants to twenty (20) communities as part of a new “consolidated program designed to more effectively reduce dating violence”; and Whereas, the Council also notes that in 2004, DOJ’s Office of Violence Against Women identified St. Joseph County as one of fifteen (15) pilot sites nationally out of 400 applicants, to receive federal financial support to “eradicate all forms of domestic violence” and that the Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County located at 533 North Niles Avenue in South Bend serves “as a one-stop help center for victims of domestic violence and their children”; where “providers from any organizations – domestic violence victim services, prosecution, probation, law enforcement, medical services, civil legal assistance, chaplains, and other community-based services” are brought together under one roof; and Whereas, it is reported that “in St. Joseph County, police respond to approximately 8,000 domestic violence calls a year” with the DOJ estimating that “only 54% of the intimate partner violence is reported to authorities” and that “victims come from all walks of life, income levels, races and religions”. Now, Therefore, be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, th Indiana, on the 11 day of March, 2013, as follows: Section I. The Common Council calls upon the residents of South Bend, Indiana to work together to end domestic violence in our community. Section II. The Council notes that soon the President will be signing into law the recently approved bi-partisan reauthorization of the “Violence Against Women’s Act” which will expand authority in seeking justice against perpetrators of such crimes. Section III. The Council pledges it support to the many agencies in the City of South Bend, Indiana, who work on a daily basis providing assistance on crisis intervention, counseling criminal investigations, spiritual care, prenatal counseling, and the many highly trained volunteer advocates who work on the 24-hour S-O-S Crisis Line, the police officers called to respond to domestic violence calls; who are working to curb domestic violence locally, and in particular the Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County. Section IV. The Council also acknowledges that the YWCA North Central Indiana, is a leading provider of domestic violence services such as emergency shelter and services to approximately 1,500 women and children annually. Food, clothing and safe shelter as well as the support and tools which these individuals need to begin rebuilding their lives, are examples of this agency. Section V. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. s/Henry Davis, Jr. nd 2 District Councilmember Councilmember Karen White, Chairperson, Health & Public Safety Committee, reported that this committee held a Public Hearing on this bill this afternoon and voted to send it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. 13