title
Proclamation recognizing and commending Womansplace upon its continued commitment to provide shelter, legal and medical advocacy, and options counseling to the women in our community.
body
WHEREAS, Allegheny County is blessed with individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in our neighborhoods and the community as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Womansplace is one such organization which strives to end domestic violence through crisis intervention, prevention education, and direct services; Its mission is to support individuals and families exposed to relationship abuse by providing shelter, legal and medical advocacy, and options counseling; and
WHEREAS, Womansplace recognizes that a pattern of control can exist between married couples, members of a family, or those involved in a dating relationship, and is the basis for abuse because of the need for the abuser to have power and control over the victim. Domestic violence knows no boundaries. It can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence occurs in many different forms - spousal battery, spousal verbal (threats) abuse, emotional abuse, child abuse, child sexual assault, abuse of parents perpetrated by adult children, family violence occurring between siblings, and elder abuse - Womansplace supports individuals in each of these relationships; and
WHEREAS, domestic violence is not a pre-existing condition...it's a crime. It is a crime for any person to cause another physical injury or harm, even if that person is a member or former member of the same household; Womansplace seeks to increase victim safety and empower individuals to begin again;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Allegheny County Council hereby recognizes and commends Womansplace upon its continued commitment to provide shelter, legal and medical advocacy, and options counseling to the women in our community.