Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

October 23, 2025

Bringing Awareness to Domestic Violence
The harrowing statistics regarding domestic abuse are many.

For example, in Pennsylvania, one in three Pennsylvania women and one in four Pennsylvania men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence or intimate partner stalking at least once. This is consistent with the national average.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, it affects an average of 24 people per minute. Awareness and education about this topic help us recognize and put a stop to this pattern of abusive behavior.

According to the hotline, there are several tactics by abusers, all aimed to establish power and control over an intimate partner, causing both physical and emotional harm. Victims may be subjected to abuse, harassment, threats, vandalism, trespassing, burglary, theft and stalking.

Generally speaking, abusive people believe they must control and restrict their partners, thinking their own feelings and needs should be prioritized. In other cases, they enjoy exerting the power that such abuse gives them.

For those who work in law enforcement, domestic violence calls are some of the most dangerous because of the heightened emotions and volatile behaviors. Just last month, in York County, a man sought by police on the accusation of stalking his ex-girlfriend ambushed five police officers, killing three. In 2021 alone, nationwide, 73 police officers were killed in non-accidental police work, including domestic violence responses.

In 2012, the Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) program was adopted in Pennsylvania. It is based on the work completed at nearby Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Maryland. Researchers determined that only 4% of domestic violence homicide victims had ever contacted a hotline, shelter or program prior to being killed by an abuser.

The basis of the program is to partner with police who, when responding to a domestic violence call, ask an alleged victim a series of screening questions. How the questions are answered may result in a local violence program being contacted. By 2018, LAP had been implemented in 48 counties with 46 domestic violence programs and 332 police departments and as a result, 8,814 victims accessed domestic violence program services.

The reasons an abuse victim may not seek help vary from fear of retribution by their abuser to having little confidence they would be believed to feelings of embarrassment.

This is why having a direct and discreet line of communication is so important. In Westmoreland County, the Blackburn Center is an important resource. Its 24-hour hotline, 1-888-832-2272, offers free access to a counselor any time. For more information, visit blackburncenter.org.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline also offers free and confidential help 24 hours a day. It can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), by texting “START” to 88788 or visiting thehotline.org.

Please, if you need assistance, seek help to bring it to an end. In addition, if you suspect someone is being victimized, visit the mentioned websites to review the signs of domestic abuse.

A final statistic is that children who are exposed to violence through domestic abuse, either against themselves or someone else in the house, are two-to-three times more likely to be either an abuse perpetrator or victim later in life.  I believe that ending this cycle will require several evidence-based responses and making sure victims have safe access to get assistance.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Budget Impasse Update - With the House of Representatives resuming session this week, I am continuing to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate on a fiscally responsible budget that adequately funds government’s core services but does not set us up for future tax increases. The Senate, led by Republicans, recently passed an amended budget (Senate Bill 160) totaling $47.9 billion, a $300 million increase from their August plan but still far less than what Gov. Josh Shapiro had proposed. The proposal funds essential services without raising taxes, fully covers debt service and school employees’ retirement obligations, as well as maintains the state’s credit rating. It also includes a 5% cut in General Assembly spending to reduce excess reserves.  In one day and in one vote, the House can pass this bill and send it to the governor.

Interested in learning more about the laws and regulations related to firearms? - Mark your calendars and come to my Firearms Safety and Rights Seminar on Thursday, Nov. 6, 6 - 8 p.m., at The Lamplighter, 6566 State Route 22, in Delmont. Firearms Owners Against Crime’s Jim Stoker will lead the discussion and be ready to answer questions. Registration is suggested but not required. Walk-ins are welcome. To register, call the Washington Township/Export office at 724-387-9113 or email aadams@pahousegop.com.

The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial’s (America250PA) Bells Across PA is coming to Murrysville! - The program gives artists across the opportunity to decorate a three-foot fiberglass bell to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. Join the fun as a bell designed by local artist Stacey Pydynkowski will be unveiled Monday, Nov. 3, at 4 p.m. at the Westmoreland Heritage Trail Head in Murrysville. 



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper