[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 151 (Monday, November 1, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E2227]]



                   DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 1, 1999

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, as many of my colleagues may be aware, 
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In my home State of North 
Dakota, as well as across the Nation, citizens have already 
participated in numerous activities, such as candlelight vigils, ``Take 
Back the Night'' rallies, and other forms of demonstration aimed at 
raising public awareness of this national tragedy.
  Domestic violence is one of our Nation's most prevalent, yet 
misunderstood, tragedies. Recently, North Dakota's Attorney General 
released a report on domestic violence for 1997, and the statistics 
should cause us all to take notice. To cite just a few of the facts: in 
1,450 incidents reported through the North Dakota Uniform Crime 
Reporting Program, there were 1,638 victims involved; 39 percent of all 
reported physical violence cases across the State were incidents of 
domestic violence; and among reported victims of domestic violence, 74 
percent were women and 19 percent were juveniles.
  These figures are even more sobering when you consider that domestic 
violence is one of the most severely underreported crimes. We may not 
be able to estimate the number of victims who, living in fear or 
denial, do not come forward; however, the National Crime Victimization 
survey, administered by the Department of Justice, reports that victims 
of all types of violence, including domestic, report only about half of 
their victimizations to the police.
  Unfortunately, attitudes are slow to change, especially on such an 
intimate issue as domestic violence. No longer can we sit idly by, as 
the cycle of violence not only goes on, but oftentimes worsens. No 
longer can we claim that what goes on in another person's private life 
is none of my or your business. No longer can we blame the victims 
saying that they ``asked for it.'' No longer can we make excuses.
  During this month of awareness, therefore, I am proud to also mark 
the fifth anniversary of one of the most important stands Congress has 
ever taken against domestic violence: the Violence Against Women Act 
(VAWA). Through programs that bolster prosecution of sexual assault and 
domestic violence, increase victim services, and step up education and 
prevention activities, VAWA has gone far to protect individuals from 
sexual offenses and domestic abuse. I am proud to support 
reauthorization of all these programs as a cosponsor of H.R. 357, the 
Violence Against Women Act of 1999.
  Congress, however, cannot act alone. The House of Representatives 
cannot pass a law to ban domestic violence. The Senate cannot force 
attitudes to change. It is up to all of us to take action--through 
greater participation and awareness--to end this national tragedy, 
Advocates should not have to fight alone, and victims should not have 
to suffer alone. This is one issue on which the old adage holds true: 
If we're not part of the solution, we're part of the problem.

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