[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICE CENTER 20TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 24, 1996

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues a very important anniversary which will be commemorated 
in my district in October. The Domestic Violence Service Center [DVSC] 
will observe the 20th anniversary of its founding. I am pleased to have 
the opportunity to commend the center for its tireless dedication to 
helping women and children in crisis.
  Originally called Womencenter when it was first conceived in October 
1976, the DVSC began as an assessment agency to focus on the needs of 
area women. The pleas for help from battered women in the first 6 
months was overwhelming. Because of this the Womencenter refocused its 
purpose to address the issue of domestic violence and how it affects 
women and children in the Wyoming Valley. A task force was formed to 
study the issue. The result of that meeting was the founding of the 
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence [PCADV]. The first 
coalition of its kind in the United States, the PCADV is still a leader 
in victims' rights issues in the State and the Nation.
  In 1977, the Womencenter received a grant to develop a full-time 
domestic violence program. Services expanded and a liaison with Legal 
Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania was established.
  A speakers' bureau was begun to promote community awareness. In 1978, 
the task force established the first shelter for battered women in 
northeastern Pennsylvania. Within 1 week the unadvertised shelter was 
completely filled to capacity. That June the Womencenter incorporated 
as the Domestic Violence Service Center. A board was formed and the 
first officers were elected.
  Mr. Speaker, the Domestic Violence Service Center has served the area 
as a shelter, an advocacy agency, an outreach center, and a counseling 
center. The DVSC has been on the forefront of public education of 
domestic violence and involved with other social service agencies and 
the District Attorney's office in creating a county wide protocol for 
the handling of domestic violence cases. The center has coordinated 
with local police forces to create a common protocol in handling the 
actual distress calls. This program serves as an example to the entire 
State of Pennsylvania.
  Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, the Domestic Violence Service Center 
has provided shelter for thousands of battered women who flee their 
homes often in the middle of the night afraid for their lives and the 
lives of their children.
  Mr. Speaker, the impact of domestic violence affects the entire 
community. Each year the center conducts a solemn and poignant 
candlelight vigil at the Luzerne County Courthouse to commemorate 
Domestic Violence Month. I have had the honor of participating in this 
event. I am proud to commend the hardworking staff, board of directors, 
and volunteers on their dedicated effort to help those who would 
otherwise be trapped indefinitely in a crisis situation. Through their 
work and dedication they offer a place for women and children to turn 
to break the cycle of violence. Although this anniversary is not a 
celebration, it is a call to each of us to help stop this devastation 
of the American family. Mr. Speaker, I hope this anniversary will 
expand public awareness of the important work that the DVSC does.

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