To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Declare Homicide a Public Health Crisis
Declare Homicide in America As A Public Health Crisis; By implementing legislative reforms to reduce the number of homicides and violent incidents across the nation.
Why is this important?
Specifically, we are calling on Congress to:
Recognize the devastation of homicide and violence suffered by communities which experience a disproportionate amount of violence across the nation; and the traumatic repercussions experienced by children, youth and families who are constant witnesses to these events by providing funding, research and trauma informed programming to combat these circumstances. These resources and programs will serve to interrupt the "contagion" of violence and the number of homicides in heavily impacted communities.
Deem homicide a public health epidemic for men of color ages 13-34, as supported by our nation's statistical data. Furthermore, allocate funding, education, advertising and research resources to address the rapidly growing social crisis.
Pass gun bills, pending in the House and Senate, that will minimally, reduce gun violence through background checks; closing gun show loopholes; and restricting the sale of guns to individuals who are under age; mentally ill, or have criminal records.
Reform and amend the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) in order to provide equal access to benefits, without discrimination, to families of victims of crimes in communities with high rates of homicide. In addition, provide community based mental health services and support to families who have lost loved ones to violence.
Recognize the devastation of homicide and violence suffered by communities which experience a disproportionate amount of violence across the nation; and the traumatic repercussions experienced by children, youth and families who are constant witnesses to these events by providing funding, research and trauma informed programming to combat these circumstances. These resources and programs will serve to interrupt the "contagion" of violence and the number of homicides in heavily impacted communities.
Deem homicide a public health epidemic for men of color ages 13-34, as supported by our nation's statistical data. Furthermore, allocate funding, education, advertising and research resources to address the rapidly growing social crisis.
Pass gun bills, pending in the House and Senate, that will minimally, reduce gun violence through background checks; closing gun show loopholes; and restricting the sale of guns to individuals who are under age; mentally ill, or have criminal records.
Reform and amend the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) in order to provide equal access to benefits, without discrimination, to families of victims of crimes in communities with high rates of homicide. In addition, provide community based mental health services and support to families who have lost loved ones to violence.