[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 1995

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my colleagues a 
disturbing news story. The Associated Press reported today that a 
chilling backlash against battered women has formed in this country 
since O.J. Simpson was acquitted of murder. Advocates for abused women 
say that calls to domestic violence hotlines have dropped sharply in 
some States because women fear their claims will not be taken 
seriously.
  In the aftermath of the Simpson trial, several jurors stated for 
millions of viewers to hear that domestic violence has nothing to do 
with murder. Yet over 4,000 women each year are killed by husbands or 
partners who have abused them. Domestic violence has everything to do 
with murder, everything to do with abuse, pain, suffering, loss of 
self-esteem, and violence against women.
  The passage of the Violence Against Women Act was a great achievement 
in the fight against domestic violence. Public awareness remains high. 
Communities are working to see that this problem is eliminated and that 
victims of abuse have somewhere to turn or a safe place to go.
  I am pleased to report that in my district the San Francisco Police 
Department recently announced the formation of a special unit to 
investigate domestic violence cases, one of only two such special units 
in the State of California. But domestic violence is still our problem. 
It will be our problem so long as it exists. We as legislators are 
responsible for letting women in this country know that we taken them 
seriously--that there are funds and resources available for their 
needs, that they don't have to hide their problem or be afraid to 
report cases of abuse.
  I urge my colleagues to support full funding of the Violence Against 
Women Act, and to take every opportunity to speak out against this 
unspeakable crime against women, not just during National Domestic 
Violence Awareness Month, but every day.

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