SAMPLE RESOLUTION FOR NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

WHEREAS, domestic violence is pervasive in all segments of our society -- rich and poor, urban an suburban, and in all racial and ethnic groups; and 

WHEREAS, it is a problem which often has great shame attached to it, preventing victims from seeking the help they need, and others from intervening; and 

WHEREAS, in some religious and ethnic, communities, denial that the problem even exists can pose tremendous obstacles to treatment and prevention; and 

WHEREAS, studies have shown that when battered women do seek help, they are likely to turn first to their clergy person; and 

WHEREAS,  an interfaith coalition, including the American Jewish Congress, representatives of the Catholic and Protestant communities and the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, in close cooperation with the Philadelphia Police Department, is organizing an ecumenical Month of Domestic Peace, to focus the attention of the entire Philadelphia-area community, particularly through its religious institutions, on the critical issue of domestic violence; 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED  that the Presbytery of Philadelphia joins with this interfaith coalition and officially declares the month of October as the Month of Domestic Peace, during which religious and secular communities will work together to bring spiritual support and physical safety to families subjected to domestic violence. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Presbytery of Philadelphia encourages its clergy members to preach a sermon on domestic violence or include this issue in a sermon, offer prayer for domestic peace and for the victims of domestic violence, or provide a Minute for Mission and/or an opportunity for education on this issue. 

Presbytery of Philadelphia 
Summer 1996