[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]


                              {time}  1300
 
                 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MUST BE STOPPED--NOW

  (Mr. FILNER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, domestic violence is the No. 1 cause of 
injury to women ages 15 to 45 in the United States. Every 15 seconds a 
woman is battered in a domestic dispute. But these are not just 
statistics--these are human beings who live every day in fear.
  Women like Marta--who live in my district. After 17 years and more 
than 70 severe beatings, she fled her home when her husband nearly 
killed her. With the help of a battered woman's shelter, she is putting 
her life back together--for herself and her two young sons.
  This is America's hidden crime. Many victims of domestic violence 
remain in the shadows. All too often our police and other law 
enforcement officials cannot help until the woman is seriously injured 
or killed because the victims are silenced by fear.
  What can we do as a Congress to stop the violence? First of all, we 
can raise awareness and let women know that help is available. Second, 
we can break the cycle of abuse, by teaching our children that the use 
of violence is not justifiable. Lastly, let us not forget--that the 
victim is the abused, not the abuser.
  The point is that we should act--and act now. During the brief time 
that I have been speaking, four women have been battered. This is four 
too many.

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