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Description
Jeannine L. Lisitski, Executive Director of the Philadelphia anti-domestic violence non-profit Women Against Abuse, speaks at the October 29, 2015 session of Philadelphia City Council.
The staff of WAA joined Council to declare October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Philadelphia.
for more information, visit: http://www.womenagainstabuse.org/
A
So
much
councilmembers
tasco,
Greenlee,
Reynolds,
Brown
and
all
of
the
members
of
council.
We
are
honored
to
be
here
again
this
year
to
proclaim
October
as
domestic
violence
awareness
month
in
Philadelphia,
and
we
are
particularly
happy
that
our
partners,
health
partners
plans
will
be
recognized
shortly
in
our
here
today
with
us
to
recognize
October
as
domestic
violence
awareness
a
month
before
I
get
started.
I
just
want
to
take
a
quick
moment
to
recognize
the
incredible
work,
and
that
does
not
do
it.
Justice
of
our
lead
sponsor
Councilwoman
Marian
tasco.
A
A
It
has
been
another
monumental
year
for
Philadelphia
in
their
response
to
domestic
violence.
As
you
heard,
we
have
completed
a
formal,
citywide
strategic
plan
to
holistically
address
domestic
violence.
This
is
committed
to
the
vision
of
a
safer
and
healthier
Philadelphia,
where
the
city
and
its
provider
community
will
coordinate
resource
and
responses
to
intimate
domestic
and
other
forms
of
relational
violence
across
all
systems
and
agencies,
as
we
move
forward
with
plan
implementation
or
response
benefits
from
a
commitment
of
17
different
agencies
representing
the
city's
administration,
as
well
as
nonprofit
human
service
providers.
A
In
addition
to
that,
we
have
50
other
community
members
and
institutions
and
groups
who
are
on
for
working
subcommittees
work
that
will
include
the
creation
of
a
universal
screening
tool
that
will
also
include
screening
for
things
like
human
trafficking,
sexual
violence.
It
will
be
a
universal
tool,
it
will
also
screen
for
perpetration
and
abusive
behaviors
we're
going
to
have
a
lethality
screening,
training
plans
and
protocol
a
warm
referral
system,
new
interventions,
improved
data
collections
by
everyone
shared
messaging
and
much
more.
A
Ultimately,
we
do
this
to
ensure
that
no
matter
where
a
person
turns
for
help
that
they'll
be
greeted
with
an
effective
response.
However,
it's
important
to
remember
that,
even
though
Philadelphia
is
making
great
strides
towards
this
community
response,
we
are
still
experiencing
a
growing
demand
for
support.
The
Philadelphia
domestic
violence
hotline
received
well
over
15,000
calls
last
year,
which
was
a
fifty
percent
increase
from
the
prior
year,
so
that,
in
our
eyes,
is
a
positive
thing.
More
people
are
reaching
out
for
help,
but
again
we're
not
able
to
respond
to
the
overwhelming
need
there.
A
It
is
really
critical
that
our
local
community
be
able
to
respond
to
these
cries,
tens
of
thousands
of
them
each
year
that
occur
right
here
in
our
city.
So,
while
today
is
a
really
important
day
proclaiming
domestic
violence
awareness
month
here
in
Philadelphia,
we
must
remember
that
every
day
thousands
of
Philadelphians
are
experiencing
domestic
violence
and
almost
300
of
them
will
call
the
police
related
to
this
violence
each
day.
A
So
as
we
cap
off
this
year's
domestic
violence
awareness
month,
let's
make
the
most
of
it
by
not
letting
it
be
the
only
time
that
we
focus
on
family
violence
and
stand
up
for
victims.
There's
many
ways
that
you
can
all
either
get
involved
or
stay
involved
to
be
part
of
this
movement.
First,
you
can
join
the
coordinated
community
response
to
domestic
violence
by
participating
in
one
of
the
citywide
plans,
a
citywide
subcommittees,
I'm,
sorry,
and
so
whether
you're
interested
in
safe,
accessible
housing,
collaborative
systems
or
direct
interventions
for
victims
or
those
using
abusive
behaviors.
A
You
can
be
part
of
creating
this
plan
and
implementing
it.
In
addition
to
that,
you
can
download
the
new
women
against
abuse,
I
pledge
toolkit
to
use
with
your
circle
of
influence.
It's
a
one-stop
shop
for
getting
involved
in
the
effort
to
end
domestic
violence.
It
serves
as
a
step-by-step
guide
and
it's
filled
with
everything
you
need
to
encourage
your
community
not
only
to
sign
the
pledge
but
to
have
their
own
campaign
wherever
they
are
in
their
community.
A
You
can
access
the
toolkit
simply
by
going
to
our
website
women
against
abuse
org,
and
we
would
be
happy
to
come
meet
with
your
staff
to
walk
you
through
how
to
use
that
I
want
to
close.
Just
by
saying
that
our
city
largely
looks
to
you
council
members
for
leadership,
so
I'd
like
to
leave
you
by
just
asking
the
question:
how
will
you
be
a
part
of
working
to
end
Family
Violence,
not
just
during
this
month
but
every
day?
A
I
want
to
thank
you
and
applaud
you
for
your
commitment
to
being
part
of
the
struggle
on
many
fronts
together.
I
know
that
we
can
change
the
course
of
family
violence
and
change
the
health
and
well-being
of
our
own
Philadelphia.
So
thank
you
so
much
for
all
that
you
do
and
for
this
costume,
OH
Thank,
You
counsel,
biddies.