[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

 Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise today to raise awareness of a 
startlingly common problem occurring every 15 seconds across our 
nation--and that is the issue of domestic violence. October is Domestic 
Violence Awareness Month, and I would like to take this opportunity to 
discuss the devastating impact of domestic violence on individuals, 
families and our communities.
  Few people want to tell the dark secrets of their family. Though many 
keep incidents of domestic violence secret, it is a sad part of our 
national landscape. Through the efforts of medical researchers, law 
enforcement officers, advocates, and victims, more attention is now 
being paid. In the last two years alone, according to the National 
Library of Medicine, approximately 500 articles have been written on 
domestic violence in prominent journals and periodicals.
  Despite these efforts, many remain uncomfortable talking about 
domestic violence. According to the Department of Justice Violence 
Against Women Office, domestic violence is a crime that is frequently 
underreported to law enforcement authorities. Victims often live in 
fear and do not share their troubled secrets. They fear threats, 
additional violence and more pain.
  The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 3 to 4 million women 
are battered each year by their husbands or boyfriends. Data published 
by the Commonwealth Fund shows that women are more often the victims of 
domestic violence than victims of burglary, muggings or other physical 
crimes combined. The National Crime Victimization Survey indicates that 
from 1991 to 1996, approximately half of female victims of domestic 
violence were physically injured.
  Unfortunately, only one in five of those injured victims sought 
treatment at a medical facility. As a physician, I know that our health 
care delivery systems can be critical links in identifying cases of 
domestic violence. In a 1990 study published in the Journal of the 
American Medical Association, 22 to 35% of women treated in emergency 
rooms were there for injuries related to ongoing abuse. Health care 
providers can have a significant impact in identifying such cases, and 
we must give them the tools to help us address the problem.
  Another sad truth is that domestic violence crosses all racial, 
gender, age and economic boundaries. Children, men and the elderly are 
also victims. Child abuse is 15 times more likely to occur in families 
where domestic violence is present. In the late 1980's, reports of 
elder abuse increased by almost 20% nationally. With these staggering 
numbers before us, it is apparent that domestic violence necessitates a 
coordinated community response with partners at the local, state and 
federal levels.
  That's why I am particularly heartened by efforts in Tennessee to 
address the issue. The Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence 
is dedicated to ending violence in the lives of women and children 
through their network of coalitions and shelters. The Task Force has 
partnered with the Tennessee Medical Association to educate health care 
providers. They also work closely with law enforcement authorities. My 
home town of Nashville, for example, has the largest domestic violence 
division of any police department in the country. Working together with 
the Task Force, the city's police department has seen an increase in 
the number of calls from victims who now have more confidence in the 
system. Knoxville, Chattanooga and Memphis have similar efforts 
underway. I am proud of my fellow Tennesseans for the example they are 
setting and the models they are creating. They are sending a clear 
message that domestic violence is wrong and has no place in our 
society.
  We are working to send a similar message at the federal level. I have 
authored three bills which contain provisions to address domestic 
violence. S. 1754, the ``Health Professions Education Partnerships Act 
of 1998,'' passed the Senate by unanimous consent in July. Among other 
things, it requests that the Institute of Medicine examine and make 
recommendations regarding the training needs of health professionals 
with respect to detection and referral of victims. In S. 1722, the 
``Women's Health Research and Prevention Amendments of 1998,'' and in 
S. 2330, the ``Patients' Bill of Rights,'' we authorize federal funding 
for community programs on domestic violence through the Family Violence 
Prevention and Services Act. I have recently joined my colleagues 
Senators Domenici and Stevens to cosponsor S. 2395, the ``Prescription 
for Abuse Act,'' which will help health care providers to identify, 
address and prevent domestic violence.
  Domestic violence warrants our full and responsive consideration. I 
urge my colleagues to take time during October--Domestic Violence 
Awareness Month--to determine what more we can do to address this 
challenge. Together we can send a clear message that domestic violence 
must continue to be addressed comprehensively, creatively, and 
compassionately.




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