WHEREAS, each year, 10 million people a year are physically abused by an intimate partner, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and 20,000 calls are placed daily to domestic violence hotlines; and
WHEREAS, UFT member Jeanine Cammarata, a teacher on Staten Island and the mother of three children, was murdered and the police have arrested her estranged husband and charged him and his girlfriend with the murder of Jeanine; and
WHEREAS, the UFT has grave concern for the mental health and physical safety of children growing up in households in which domestic violence is part of their childhood experience; and
WHEREAS, the UFT recognizes that domestic violence puts intervening family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues and first responders at risk of mental distress and physical harm; and
WHEREAS, the UFT recognizes that domestic violence has an impact on the entire community; and
WHEREAS, the UFT, with more than 185,000 members, 75 percent of whom are female, recognizes and condemns violence against women, which constitutes a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms; and
WHEREAS, the UFT encourages members to call its Member Assistance Program, a confidential service that will refer them to appropriate resources; and
WHEREAS, the UFT works with NYC Family Justice Centers in each borough to guide union members through counseling, support for children and completing documentation; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the UFT will increase awareness of domestic violence by providing materials and professional development so that members in schools are aware of the signs of domestic violence and how to respond; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the UFT demands that the city Department of Education provide guidelines on enforcement of court protection orders; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the UFT demands that the city Department of Education provide curriculum to assist students who may be growing up in households where there may be domestic violence; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the UFT will support schools that are planning a walk in support of domestic violence awareness.