house Resolution No.255

Rep. Hope offered the following resolution:

A resolution to encourage Congress to address the unique needs of domestic violence victims and survivors in the next phase of federal stimulus funding in response to COVID-19.

Whereas, The spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in a global pandemic spreading across 146 countries and other locations. In order to combat the rapid spread of the virus, drastic measures have been taken, including the closure of all non-essential businesses and ordering residents to stay at home; and

Whereas, While these measures are necessary to protect the health and safety of vulnerable populations, the heightened confinement has led to potentially dangerous situations for survivors of domestic violence. According to various experts, financial stressors and uncertainty due to the pandemic exacerbate underlying tensions. As a result, perpetrators are exploiting the situation by using the increased vulnerability created by required physical distancing and resultant social isolation as a new or heightened tactic of abuse; and

Whereas, There has been a documented increase in contacts made to domestic violence programs across the country. In Michigan, contacts to the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence have grown in March and the first half of April in 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. The state Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board has also seen a surge in help requests; and

Whereas, Survivors of domestic violence need additional resources and support to cope with the far-reaching consequences of this pandemic. In a letter to Congress, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) urged Congress to ensure that their next stimulus bill “comprehensively meets the needs of victims and survivors that are both created and compounded by the COVID-19 crisis”; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we encourage Congress to address the unique needs of domestic violence victims and survivors in the next phase of federal stimulus funding in response to COVID-19 and honor the requests for appropriations by Michigan and national domestic violence programs for US Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.