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1996 SESSION

965824833
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 27
Senate Amendments in [ ] -- February 9, 1996
Continuing the Commission on Family Violence Prevention.
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Patrons-- Howell, Benedetti, Couric, Earley, Gartlan, Houck, Lucas, Maxwell, Stolle, Stosch, Ticer and Woods; Delegates: Almand, Behm, Cranwell, Darner, Fisher, Jones, D.C., Keating, Kilgore, Melvin, Mims, Plum, Puller, Scott, Thomas, Van Landingham, Van Yahres, Wardrup, Watkins and Woodrum
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Referred to the Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, in FY 1994 in Virginia, 29,805 women and 8,640 children were provided services through domestic violence programs; 5,477 new victims sought services through sexual assault crisis centers, 42% as victims of assault by a family member; 14,101 cases of child abuse or neglect were substantiated; and 5,984 cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation of the elderly were substantiated; and

WHEREAS, 17.4% of the homicides occurring in Virginia in 1994 involved victims who were family members of a boy friend or girl friend of the killer; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to further support a coordinated community response to family violence that will assure an efficient and comprehensive approach; to increase public and professional awareness of the complex dynamics of family violence and its prevention; to train and offer technical assistance to communities and professionals who handle issues of family violence; to collect, analyze and disseminate data and information regarding family violence; and to analyze existing policies, services and resources and determine what is necessary to prevent and treat family violence; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Commission on Family Violence Prevention has made strides in addressing the problems caused by family violence, but much work remains to be done; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Commission on Family Violence Prevention continue to study family violence in the Commonwealth to: (i) determine the impact of family violence on children, (ii) examine the availability and accessibility of services and resources to victims of family violence, (iii) investigate the development of standards for effective Batterer Treatment programs, (iv) examine effective prosecution techniques, and (v) determine services, resources and legislation which may be needed to further address, prevent and treat family violence.

Members of the Commission shall continue to serve and any vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment [ , as provided in House Joint Resolution No. 279 (1994), ] except that any vacancy occurring in a judicial appointment shall be filled by appointment of the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections. One additional juvenile and domestic relations court judge and two additional citizens representing the media and organizations involved in family violence issues shall be appointed by the Speaker and two additional citizens representing the media and organizations involved in family violence issues shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections. The Chairman of the Commission shall be a member of the General Assembly; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the legislative members of the Commission shall constitute an executive committee which shall direct the activities of the Office of the Commission on Family Violence Prevention.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $12,950.

The Division of Legislative Services and the Office of the Commission on Family Violence Prevention shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission upon request.

The Commission shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1997 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislation Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.