[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

  (Mr. MOAKLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues in 
remembering the victims of domestic abuse. The month of October is 
domestic violence awareness month, and today is a day to remember the 
victims.
  In March 1993, a neighbor of mine in south Boston was fatally stabbed 
by her estranged husband. The woman, a 21-year-old college senior, had 
previously contacted authorities and obtained a restraining order to 
protect herself and her infant child against her husband's temper. Yet, 
tragically, a restraining order was not enough to keep him from taking 
her life.
  Domestic violence has become a major problem as well as a disturbing 
trend in American society today. An estimated 4 million women are 
battered by their husbands or boyfriends each year. Not only are 
violent crimes against women increasing rapidly, they also send a harsh 
message to our youth. Recent studies show that violent adolescents are 
four times as likely to come from homes in which their fathers beat 
their mothers than non-violent youth. This trend needs to be stopped.
  In my home State of Massachusetts, the number of women killed by 
their husbands or boyfriends has increased at an alarming rate. In 
1993, 29 women were murdered at an average of every 12 days. I rise 
today to remember the victims and call attention to the severity of the 
problem. Domestic violence is not a spat or a lover's quarrel, it is a 
crime.
  It is crucial that we make the prevention of domestic violence a top 
legislative priority. We need to recognize the destructive pattern of 
violence against women and take measures to halt domestic abuse. It is 
our responsibility to protect women who are in the same situation as my 
neighbor was in south Boston, and not let another battered woman's cry 
of help go unanswered.

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