HR 1353: Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence; recognize

House Resolution 1353

By: Representatives Santos of the 117th, New of the 40th, Camp of the 135th, Gunter of the 8th, Crawford of the 89th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (GCADV) began as the Georgia Network Against Domestic Violence in 1980 under the leadership of Jean Marcinko with five charter members, including the Columbus Alliance for Battered Women, the Council on Battered Women in Atlanta, the Council on Battered Women in Athens, the S.A.F.E. Shelter in Savannah, and the YWCA Crisis Center in Cobb County; and

WHEREAS, the coalition provides information and support to members and local groups, promotes services and prevention to families in domestic violence situations, promotes public awareness and education of the problem of domestic violence and possible prevention strategies, and functions as a unified body and a resource to the State regarding legislation, reforms, funding and prevalence of domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, for the past 25 years, thousands of advocates have convened at the Georgia State Capitol to be a voice for change and improve the lives of survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the state of Georgia as a part of GCADV's efforts to end domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, GCADV stands with survivors by partnering with the Georgia Commission on Family Violence and the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault and other advocacy organizations for Stop Violence Against Women Day at the Georgia Capitol; and

WHEREAS, with the help of its partners and allies, GCADV has worked to pass meaningful legislation that ensures the rights of survivors are protected and upheld, including the passage of the Survivor Justice Act, adding pets to protective order petitions, establishing an address confidentiality program, creating a pathway for justice for victims of dating violence, allowing victims of domestic violence and stalking to break their lease without penalty and establishing domestic violence as a "good cause" for receiving unemployment benefits for those who have to leave their jobs, and allowing survivors to include child support as relief in temporary protective orders.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence.