LANSING — This week, the Legislature adopted House Resolution 407, which declares October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the state. Last year, the Progressive Women’s Caucus introduced a broad package of bills to support survivors in the state, yet they have sat untouched in committee ever since. In response, state Rep. Kristy Pagan (D-Canton), the resolution’s sponsor and co-chair of the Progressive Women’s Caucus’ Gender Violence Task Force, issued the following statement:
“In the past year, the status quo has been rightfully disrupted as survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault have spoken out about their experiences and demanded that our laws offer them the support they deserve. I was proud to join my colleagues a year ago to introduce comprehensive legislation that would better support and protect survivors, so it is disappointing that despite the cultural shift we’re witnessing, leadership in Lansing has refused to act on our package. The adoption of this resolution indicates support for survivors in concept; the next step is for the Legislature to show support in action, too.”
###