HomeMy WebLinkAbout16704ORDINANCE NO. 16,704
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AN ORDINANCE TO CREATE THE LITTLE
ROCK, ARKANSAS, COMMISSION ON
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; TO ESTABLISH A
PURPOSE FOR THIS COMMISSION; AND
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WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Board of Directors of the
City of Little Rock, Arkansas, to provide a safe community for
all persons so they can live in an environment that supports
growth and fulfillment; and
WHEREAS, despite this desire, it is recognized that there
are daily examples of situations in which domestic violence
occurs that works to destroy the interpersonal relationships
within family units; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors recognizes and commends the
efforts of the various groups that try to deal with these
problems, but wishes to establish a City commission that will
focus its energy on this issue and suggest ways to coordinate
the current efforts and to educate the public on the very real
problems created, both long term and short term, by domestic
violence.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIREC'T'ORS OF
THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
SECTION 1. There is hereby created the Little Rock
Commission on Domestic Violence to be appointed by the Board of
Directors.
SECTION 2. The purposes of the Commission on Domestic
Violence include: (1) Implementation of a community wide effort
to enable persons to become aware of the high incidence of
domestic violence; (2) A study of the causes of domestic
violence and of efforts to eliminate these causes; (3)
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Education of persons about the dehumanizing effects of domestic
violence; (4) Coordination of counseling efforts for victims; 350
(5) Recommendation of policies that both hold the perpetrator
accountable for abusive behavior and provide motivation and an
opportunity to change this behavior.
SECTION 3. (a) The Commission on Domestic Violence shall
consist of not less than 15 persons and which shall, at all
times, include the following representatives:
(1) Two (2) persons that serve as members of the Board
of Directors;
(2) One (1) physician practicing in Little Rock that
has a demonstrated interest or experience with the
impact of domestic violence on individuals;
(3) Three (3) persons selected as at -large members;
(4) At least one (1) person that has directly suffered
the effects of domestic violence;
(5) Three (3) persons that have experience with
support groups or advocacy groups that deal with
domestic violence;
(6) Three (3) persons that are employed by a health
care facility;
(7) One (1) person that works as a clinician in
dealing with domestic violence victims;
(8) One (1) representative from the field of
education.
(9) Any number of additional persons as requested by
the Commission and approved by the Board of
Directors.
The City Manager is directed to assure that City staff,
including law enforcement personnel, shall be available to
assist the Commission in the fulfillment of its purposes. In
addition, the Commission is encouraged to seek advisory contacts
with representatives of the prosecuting attorneys office and
the local judicial system.
(b) Except for the initial membership, each commission
member shall serve for a five (5) year term. If a member is
unable to complete a term, the successor shall be selected to 35 1
fill the unexpired portion of the term and may then be
reappointed to a full term.
(c) The initial terms shall be staggered so that at least
three (3) persons shall be selected for full terms every year
during the initial five (5) years that the commission is in
existence. The initial staggered terms shall be as follows:
(1) One member of the Board of Directors of the City,
the physician member, and one at -large member
shall be selected for a one (1) year term
initially.
(2) One member of the Board of Directors of the City,
one health care member, and one at -large member
shall be selected for a two (2) year term
initially.
(3) One health care member, one at -large member, and
the clinician member shall be selected for a three
(3) year term initially.
(4) One health care facility member, the education
member, and one support group member shall be
selected for a four (4) year term initially.
(5) The victim member, and two support group members
shall be selected for a five (5) year term
initially.
SECTION 4. The Commission shall have the following powers
and duties:
(a) To create by -laws, committees and subcommittees that
will effect the purposes of this ordinance;
(b) To recommend to the Board of Directors and the City
Manager such policies as the Commission believes will tend to
minimize or eliminate domestic violence within the community;
(c) To issue publications and the results of any research
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or studies, or any other materials, that will educate the public
regarding all facets of domestic violence.
PASSED: July 13, 1994
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APPROVED AS TO •
TERY
CITY ATTORNEY
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