HR0793 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0793 LRB101 20906 MST 70834 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has a responsibility to help crime victims access justice, assistance, and the support they need to heal; and

WHEREAS, Illinois Crime Victims' Voices: The First-Ever Survey of Illinois Victims' Views on Safety and Justice found that crime is a traumatic experience for nearly everyone who has been a victim and that nearly seven out of 10 crime victims experience traumatic symptoms across demographic characteristics; and

WHEREAS, Research has shown that people who are repeatedly victimized are more likely to face mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic trauma; and

WHEREAS, Victims living in communities experiencing concentrated crime are more likely to suffer from greater levels of chronic trauma than those who do not, and national data indicates that young adults, people with low incomes, and residents of urban areas experience the highest rates of victimization; and

WHEREAS, Research shows that people under the age of 30 are 24 percent more likely to be victims of violent crime and 41 percent more likely to be victims of serious violent crime; similarly, people with incomes of less than $25,000 per year are 25 percent more likely to be victims of violent crime and 46 percent more likely to be victims of serious violent crime; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 35 million children have experienced one or more types of childhood adversity, and approximately 72% of children and youth in the United States will have experienced at least one stressful event (e.g., witnessing or being a victim of violence, experiencing sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, suffering a serious injury or medical condition, or the death of a parent or sibling) before the age of 18; and

WHEREAS, These adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can be traumatizing and, if not recognized and treated, can affect health across the life span and, in some cases, result in a shortened life span; and

WHEREAS, A growing body of research demonstrates that untreated trauma, especially among those who experience repeat victimization, can contribute to substance abuse, mental health issues, housing instability, and other problems that increase risky behaviors and lead to further victimization or crime itself; and

WHEREAS, Trauma-informed care has been promoted and established in communities across the country on a bipartisan basis, including in the states of California, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Numerous federal agencies have integrated trauma-informed approaches into their programs and grants, which should be leveraged by the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Infants, children, and youth and their families who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing trauma, including those who are low-income, homeless, involved with the child welfare system, involved in the juvenile or adult justice system, unemployed, or not enrolled in or at risk of dropping out of an educational institution and live in a community that has faced acute or long-term exposure to substantial discrimination, historical oppression, intergenerational poverty, a high rate of violence or drug overdose deaths, should have an opportunity for improved outcomes; this means increasing access to greater opportunities to meet educational, employment, health, developmental, community reentry, permanency from foster care, or other key goals; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that an urgent and significant need exists to discuss and evaluate public policies affecting trauma and social determinants of health; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the importance, effectiveness, and need for trauma-informed care among existing programs and agencies in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we express our support for the establishment of this effort and urge the citizens of this State to become more aware of trauma and its effects on communities across Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General.