* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember McCray
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Violence Against Women - An Overlooked Public Health Crisis
For the purpose of inviting the Police Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, the Health Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success, the Sheriff of the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office, and certain community-based organizations to appear before the Baltimore City Council to discuss the rise in violence against women and what strategies are being put in place to reverse this epidemic.
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Recitals
In 2020, the Baltimore Police Department reported its highest number of female homicides in at least a decade - or possibly ever - with nearly 50 female victims. The Police Department and other experts have stated that some of the driving forces contributing to these incidents are intimate partner violence, a rise in the number of women involved with the people or place where violent crime is occurring, and random acts of violence. Intimate partner violence accounts for 21% of all violent crime. When guns are present, there is a 500% greater chance that the incident will end up deadly.
The World Health Organization has stated that violence against women - particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence - is a major public health problem and a violation of women’s human rights. Population-level surveys based on reports from survivors provide the most accurate estimates of the prevalence of intimate partner violence and sexual violence. Research gathered by the organization from across 161 countries showed that an average of 1 in 3 women worldwide have been subjected to either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Intimate partner violence is the leading cause of violence against women in the world, and it can lead to fatal outcomes like homicide and suicide.
Additionally, the health consequences associated with violence against women are wide ranging and can lead to high social and economic costs for women, their families and society. Being in an abusive relationship can cause serious short and long-term physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health problems for women.
In order to effectively address this problem, we must create a safety net for victims and survivors in collaboration with prosecution, rehabilitation, and enforcement. This approach will require a multi-disciplinary approach, but violence against women should be addressed as a public health problem.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Council invites the Police Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, the Health Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success, the Sheriff of the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office, and certain community-based organizations to appear before the Baltimore City Council to discuss the rise in violence against women and what strategies are being put in place to reverse this epidemic.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Police Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, the Health Commissioner of the Baltimore City Health Department, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success, the Sheriff of the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the Baltimore City Council.