[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 110 (Monday, July 10, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1398-E1399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    RECOGNITION OF THE WESTPORT NEWS

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                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 10, 1995
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to recognize the 
outstanding work of a paper in Connecticut's Fourth Congressional 
District, the Westport News, in a series of special reports on domestic 
violence, ``Behind Closed Doors.''
  The five part series, run by this weekly newspaper over a 2-month 
period, included in depth reports providing an overview of how violence 
occurs in families; the cycle of abuse and how it affects victims; 
fallout on the family and how society silences victims; whether there 
is any justice in our courts system; and the support offered by our 
social service agencies. Following this statement I am submitting the 
final piece in the series, a summarizing editorial entitled ``Curb 
Domestic Violence by Speaking Out.''
  Mr. Speaker, awareness and discussion of the terrible scourge of 
domestic violence is the first step toward reducing it in our society. 
To that end, I commend the Westport News and their parent company, 
Brooks Newspapers, for this important contribution to improving life in 
our local communities.
  A copy of the article follows for inclusion in the Record:
                 Curb Domestic Violence by Speaking Out

       Next Monday marks one year since Nicole Brown Simpson and 
     Ronald Goldman were brutally slain by a knife-wielding 
     assailant. The state of California is trying to prove that 
     the murderer is O.J. Simpson, one of America's most famous 
     football players and Hollywood icons.
       Because O.J. Simpson had a record of abusing his wife prior 
     to the murders, this case, perhaps more than any other 
     domestic tragedy in recent years, has focused the spotlight 
     on family violence.
       To shed some light on the extent to which domestic violence 
     permeates the communities of Westport and Weston, this 
     newspaper has published a five-part series, ``Behind closed 
     doors,'' with the final installment by reporter Christina 
     Hennessy starting on Page 3 today.
       ``Behind closed doors'' has evoked a groundswell of 
     response among our readers. Many have telephoned us. Some 
     have written about their experiences. Some said it was high 
     time this issue was made public here.
       When this series was launched on May 12, the Westport News 
     hoped the articles would serve as a catharsis for Westport 
     and Weston to enable some families to find a way out of the 
     cycle of violence.
       Some already have--simply by recognizing the patterns in 
     their own homes and by reaching out for help.
       One such reader, Annie X, (a pseudonym), experienced anger, 
     violence and abuse from her husband for many years and told 
     of her experience in an Op Ed piece on June 2.
       Although her husband escaped punishment, Annie X wrote, ``I 
     have been forced to deal with verbal, emotional, 
     psychological and financial abuse. I am learning how to 
     survive and preparing myself for single parenthood.''
       One reader called to our attention the murder of a former 
     Westport woman by her husband in New Hampshire, stemming from 
     a domestic dispute.
       The Westport News is encouraged by the reactions of two 
     state legislators, state Sen. Judith Freedman (R-26) and 
     state Rep. Josephine Fuchs (R-136). Both have been active in 
     supporting legislation that will help curb domestic violence.
       The current legislation has its roots in existing law, 
     including the Family Violence Prevention and Response Act, 
     passed in 1986. It was a substantial step forward in the 
     effort to provide services for domestic violence victims.
       In 1992 and 1993, legislation that passed the General 
     Assembly broadened the programs for children affected by 
     domestic violence, created a Protective Order Registry for 
     Prevention of Domestic Violence and established a ``marriage 
     license surcharge'' with the money going to provide shelter 
     for abuse victims.
       Still, a great deal more needs to be done. During 
     interviews conducted by this newspaper's reporters for the 
     series, many suggestions emerged. Among them:
       Counselors and victims of abuse want the courts to hand 
     down harsher punishments to fit the crime. By handing out 
     light sentences, the courts send a message that domestic 
     violence is still a private matter not answerable to public 
     law.
       Victims suggest that the courts are reluctant to jail those 
     found guilty of domestic violence. They say that a work-to-
     jail program could be created that would require 

[[Page E 1399]]
     violators to return to prison instead of going home after work.
       Then, a portion of the money earned could go toward child 
     support and alimony, they say.
       Some women say that the courts should more seriously 
     consider domestic violence in divorce proceedings, 
     particularly in light of custody of any children.
       Further, with the courts still granting visitation rights 
     to ex-husbands who may be abusers, there continues to be the 
     potential of violence during the visits and there are no 
     legal restraints on them. This needs to be changed.
       Victims also want a change in the way the state handles the 
     criminal records of abusers. Currently, if an abuser is 
     charged with a family violence crime but attends and 
     successfully completes a court-order education program, the 
     charges are dismissed.
       The law needs to be changed, victims say, so that records 
     of abusers' violations of the law are retained for a longer 
     period of time and they cannot get off the hood so easily.
       Several women also suggested that the availability of legal 
     aid needs to be increased during divorce proceedings. They 
     said that in leaving their husbands they experienced a 
     dramatic drop in income level and had a hard time finding 
     attorneys who would take them on as clients.
       While our elected officials have made strides in domestic 
     violence law, we are urging them to consider the suggestions, 
     above, and work with fellow legislators to make improvements.
       What can each of us, as individuals, do to address the 
     problem?
       The loud and clear message our team of reporters heard from 
     victims, therapists, psychologists, marriage counselors, 
     police and other law enforcement officials, social workers, 
     health and court officials alike, is this:
       ``Listen to the victims. Listen to the abusers. Listen to 
     the children.''
       Then, reach out and offer to help.
       We hear a lot about ``family values'' these days. There is 
     a recognition in the heartland of America that families are 
     being torn apart by the harsh realities of increasing 
     violence.
       What could be more cogent that confronting and eliminating 
     domestic violence, arguably the biggest barrier to harmony in 
     the home?
     

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