[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 130 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H8719-H8720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

  (Mr. SCHUMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, the Violence Against Women Act 
significantly changed the way law enforcement and social service 
agencies respond to women victimized by domestic violence.
  Yet, between 50 and 70 percent of men who abuse their female partners 
also abuse their children. Children who witness domestic violence 
experience anxiety and depression and other mental disorders.
  Thanks to VAWA, more mothers and children have left these horrendous 
conditions and begun life anew. But unfortunately for many mothers and 
children, a new battle begins over custody and visitation.
  VAWA II, my new bill, will provide many more desperately needed 
supervised visitation programs in safe and secure locations. Child 
welfare workers will be trained to better serve victims, and laws that 
protect these mothers and children will be strengthened.
  Mr. Speaker, that is just one more reason to support and bring to the 
floor the Violence Against Women Act II.
  One need only pick up a newspaper to read stories about mothers and 
their children being injured or killed by the batterer during 
visitation exchange. The need for supervised visitation areas is great, 
but the need surpasses the number of available programs.

[[Page H8720]]



                          ____________________