Resolution Designates October for Domestic Violence Awareness, Citing $12 Billion Annual Economic Cost

This resolution, the Original National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resolution of 2025, isn't a new law with mandates, but a powerful declaration. It officially supports designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and, crucially, packs its argument with staggering statistics on intimate partner violence (IPV) in the U.S. The core message is clear: domestic violence is a national crisis with devastating human and economic costs, and funding for intervention and prevention programs needs to increase, not decrease.

The Scale of the Crisis

For those of us juggling work and life, policy often feels abstract. This resolution makes the problem painfully concrete. It cites that over 12 million women and men are victims of IPV annually, meaning an average of 24 people per minute are affected. If you’re running a small business or managing a team, this impacts your bottom line: the resolution notes that domestic violence results in the loss of 8 million days of paid work every year, costing the economy over $12 billion annually. Think about that next time someone calls in sick or misses a deadline—96% of employed victims face work problems because of abuse.

Who’s Bearing the Brunt?

The resolution meticulously breaks down the disproportionate impact across demographics. While IPV affects all groups, the numbers are stark for specific communities. For instance, African-American women experience IPV at a rate nearly 10% higher than White women and are three times more likely to die from it. The resolution also highlights the vulnerability of the LGBTQ+ community, noting that 61.1% of bisexual women and 43.8% of lesbian women experience IPV in their lifetimes, compared to the national average. This isn't just about awareness; it's about recognizing that effective support needs to be tailored to the specific challenges these communities face, such as fear of seeking help due to immigration status or prosecution.

The Generational Fallout

Perhaps the most chilling section details the impact on kids. The resolution states that 10% to 20% of children are exposed to physical IPV annually. This exposure isn't just trauma; it’s a predictor for future issues, including increased risk of suicide attempts, substance abuse, and even human trafficking. The resolution points out that men exposed to abuse as children are nearly four times more likely to perpetrate domestic violence as adults. This shows that intervention isn't just about helping today’s victims; it’s a critical investment in breaking cycles that span generations.

The Unmet Need for Shelter

If you’ve ever had to move suddenly, you know how stressful finding housing can be. Now imagine doing it while fleeing violence. The resolution reveals a staggering resource gap: a 2024 survey found that domestic violence shelters served over 79,000 victims in a single day, but on that same day, 14,095 requests for services went unmet due to lack of resources. Crucially, 60% of those unmet requests were for housing. This statistic drives home the resolution’s final push: a strong call for Congress to increase funding for programs aimed at intervening in and preventing domestic violence, especially for shelter support. For the busy taxpayer, this is the main financial implication: the resolution is effectively laying the groundwork for future legislation that will seek significant budget increases to address this critical housing and support shortfall.