[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 16, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION ALLOWING VICTIMS OF DATING VIOLENCE TO 
           ACCESS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

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                          HON. ASA HUTCHINSON

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2001

  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation 
that is an important step in continuing to assist victims of dating 
violence. The bill I am introducing today with Rep. Connie Morella will 
allow victims of dating violence to qualify for federal legal 
assistance grants authorized under the Violence Against Women Act.
  Dating violence is a little-known and misunderstood aspect of 
domestic violence. Historically, domestic violence laws have been 
applied only to cases where the victim is 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 the prevention 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 the State of Idaho. In December 
1999, seventeen-year-old Cassie Dehl 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 nor 
state domestic violence laws 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 she needed.
  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. Second, 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, this new legal assistance grant was not. 
Our 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 this legislation, victims 
of dating violence will have the same legal standing as all other 
victims of domestic violence when seeking civil legal assistance.
  Mr. Speaker, 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 this legislation that takes another step toward 
achieving an equal status for victims of dating violence.

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