STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1414

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

 

RE:   S.C.R. No. 14

      S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 14, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION IN THE WHITE RIBBON CAMPAIGN TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to encourage participation in the White Ribbon Campaign to end domestic violence against women.

 

     A concerned individual submitted testimony in support of this measure.

 

     Your Committee emphasizes that domestic violence against women is the number one cause of injury to women and it has reached epidemic proportions across the nation.  During 1999, in Hawaii alone, there were 8,013 reported cases of domestic violence.  Unfortunately, in these times of economic uncertainty, it has been shown that as the financial stability of the country worsens, there is an increase in the number of domestic violence cases.  Because it is estimated that domestic violence costs the American economy between eight to ten billion dollars, it exacerbates the financial hardships faced by many.  Resolving problems of domestic violence will not only help our economy, but the physical and emotional well-being of the victims and their families.

 

     Your Committee commends the Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse organization, also known as CORA, for establishing a White Ribbon Campaign in encouraging people to wear a white ribbon in opposition to violence against women.  But, as various forms of violence against women still rage on, your Committee will continue to support the White Ribbon Campaign's goal of ending all forms of violence against women.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 14, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair