HR2023: HR2023 Uwigabye, Prisca; commend

26 LC 129 1530 House Resolution 2023 By: Representatives Lim of the 98th, Lupton of the 83rd, Clark of the 108th, and Olaleye of the 59th A RESOLUTION Recognizing Prisca Uwigabye; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Prisca Uwigabye is a survivor of gender-based violence and human rights2 advocate in the Atlanta community; and 3 WHEREAS, for more than 16 years she has demonstrated an unwaver ing commitment to4 advancing the rights of immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence; and 5 WHEREAS, through her visionary leadership, she has developed im pactful programs and6 fostered strategic partnerships that uplift vulnerable communit ies and promote long-term7 healing and stability; and 8 WHEREAS, Ms. Uwigabye, like all survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human9 trafficking, and other crimes, shows strength and resilience in overcoming significant barriers10 to safety, including escalating violence, and abusers' threats of incarceration or removal from11 the United States in retaliation for reporting abuse to law enforcement; and12 WHEREAS, survivors like Ms. Uwigabye often fear retaliatory criminalization by abusers13 and are thus less likely to report crime; and14 H. R. 2023 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1530 WHEREAS, Georgia is home to Ms. Uwigabye and an immigrant population where one out15 of every ten Georgia residents is an immigrant; immigrants expe rience domestic abuse at16 twice the rate of the general United States' population; and it is a common tactic of abusers17 to keep survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and hum an trafficking silent by18 threatening their removal and separation from children; and19 WHEREAS, when such threats are made, key witnesses and victims of crime in Georgia20 have been less likely to assist local law enforcement as they seek to crack down on human21 trafficking and domestic violence crimes, including during events like the FIFA World Cup;22 and23 WHEREAS, when law enforcement exercises discretion and builds t rust with vulnerable24 communities, including survivors, survivors have felt safer to leave their homes to seek25 safety and shelter, and to serve as witnesses to help law enforcement prevent further violence26 and trafficking.27 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that28 the members of this body recognize Prisca Uwigabye, and her cha mpioning of Georgia's29 survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking, including immigrant survivors,30 and the challenges they endure and overcome; and reaffirm the G eneral Assembly's31 commitment for all survivors, including immigrant survivors, to be able to report crimes to32 law enforcement safely, including during the 2026 FIFA World Cu p hosted by Georgia,33 rather than face further control and abuse.34 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized35 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to Prisca36 Uwigabye and the General Assembly. 37 H. R. 2023 - 2 -