[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1701-S1702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CRAPO:
  S. 410. A bill to amend the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 by 
expanding legal assistance for victims of violence grant program to 
include assistance for victims of dating violence; to the Committee on 
the Judiciary.
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation that 
is an important step in continuing to recognize the victims of dating 
violence. The bill I am introducing today would allow victims of dating 
violence to qualify for federal legal assistance grants authorized 
under the Violence Against Women Act.
  Dating violence is a predominately little-known and misunderstood 
aspect of domestic violence. Historically, domestic violence laws have 
only been applied in cases where the victims have been married or 
cohabitating with the abuser, or where the couple shares a child 
together. Unfortunately, this criteria ignores the equally dangerous 
violence that can occur in dating relationships. Victims of domestic 
violence are victims regardless of their relationship to the abuser. 
These victims face the same trauma and the same manipulation as every 
other domestic violence victim. As Congress focuses its attention on 
providing necessary assistance to the states for prevention and 
treatment of domestic violence, we must not allow victims of dating 
violence to be left behind.
  The lack of recourse for victims of dating violence was brought to my 
attention through a tragic incident in my home State of Idaho. In 
December 1999, Cassie Dehl, a seventeen-year-old girl from Soda 
Springs, Idaho, was killed in an accident involving her abusive 
boyfriend. Despite documentation of years of vicious and life-
threatening abuse, Cassie's parents were unable to obtain legal 
protection for their daughter because neither Federal or Idaho domestic 
violence law applied to teenage dating relationships. Although the 
abuse was evident and the need for assistance was clear, no one was 
able to offer Cassie the help that was needed to prevent this senseless 
act.

[[Page S1702]]

  Last year, Congress overwhelmingly reauthorized a number of important 
domestic violence programs under the Violence Against Women Act. In 
addition to continuing the existing programs, the VAWA reauthorization 
included two new provisions of particular importance. First, a legal 
definition of dating violence was created, the first such definition 
under federal law. Secondly, a new grant program to provide civil legal 
assistance to victims of domestic violence was authorized. 
Unfortunately, while many of the existing VAWA programs were expanded 
to include dating violence, the new legal assistance grant was not. My 
legislation will correct this discrepancy.
  The victims of dating violence require and deserve the same legal 
assistance given to other victims of domestic violence. The ability to 
obtain a legal protection order or pursue other legal remedies can be 
the difference in a victim being able to break the cycle of oppressive 
abuse and regain control of their life. Under my legislation, victims 
of dating violence will have the same legal standing as all other 
victims of domestic violence when seeking civil legal assistance.
  I applaud Congress for coming together last year to bring attention 
to the continuing problem of domestic violence. In order to build upon 
the advances we made last year, I urge my colleagues to support my 
legislation that takes another step toward achieving an equal status 
for victims of dating violence.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 410

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE.

       Section 1201 of the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (42 
     U.S.C. 3796gg-6) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``dating violence,'' 
     after ``domestic violence,'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by inserting before paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(1) Dating violence.--The term `dating violence' means 
     violence committed by a person--
       ``(A) who is or has been in a social relationship of a 
     romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and
       ``(B) where the existence of such a relationship shall be 
     determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
       ``(i) the length of the relationship;
       ``(ii) the type of relationship; and
       ``(iii) the frequency of interaction between the persons 
     involved in the relationship.'';
       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as 
     paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) respectively; and
       (C) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by subparagraph (B) 
     of this paragraph, by inserting ``dating violence,'' after 
     ``domestic violence,'';
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting--
       (i) ``, dating violence,'' after ``domestic violence''; and
       (ii) ``dating violence,'' after ``domestic violence,'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``dating violence,'' 
     after ``domestic violence,''; and
       (C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``dating violence,'' 
     after ``domestic violence,'';
       (4) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, dating violence,'' 
     after ``domestic violence'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, dating violence,'' 
     after ``domestic violence'';
       (C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, dating violence,'' 
     after ``domestic violence''; and
       (D) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``dating violence,'' 
     after ``domestic violence,'';
       (5) in subsection (e), by inserting ``dating violence,'' 
     after ``domestic violence,''; and
       (6) in subsection (f)(2)(A), by inserting ``dating 
     violence,'' after ``domestic violence,''.
                                 ______