[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]

 
URGING CONTINUED EFFORTS TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN

  (Mrs. UNSOELD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. UNSOELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the women and 
children who have lost their lives to domestic violence, celebrate the 
survivors, and thank those in Congress and across the Nation who have 
struggled to bring about real change.
  While the statistics vary, it is clear that domestic violence has 
reached horrific proportions. It results in many if not most of the 
serious injuries and murders of women in this Nation. And the tragedy 
doesn't end there. Children in abusive households all too often grow up 
to become abusers themselves, perpetuating this vicious cycle of 
violence.
  Despite these grim realities, our Nation's battered women's shelters 
have long been dangerously underfunded. Just a few years ago, they were 
forced to turn away nearly 4 in 10 of the women waiting in fear for the 
doors to open. Without increased help, these women would have little 
choice but to remain in homes filled with violence and terror.
  I am very pleased that the Federal Government is increasing its 
investment in domestic violence prevention and treatment through the 
Violence Against Women Act. We must also put more emphasis on getting 
to the roots of violence prevention--a greater priority on education 
and early childhood education.

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