[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 31, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H7559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCING THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF DATING VIOLENCE ACT 
                DURING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize October as 
Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to introduce the Legal Assistance 
for Victims of Dating Violence Act, which will turn that recognition 
into action.
  In recent weeks, much attention has been focused on humanitarian 
issues in Afghanistan, particularly the cruel treatment of women under 
the Taliban and their struggle with domestic violence.
  While conditions for women in the United States are light years ahead 
of those for the women of Afghanistan, domestic violence has too long 
been a problem in our country, as well. The Justice Department reports 
that there were over 791,000 domestic violence victims in 1999, with 85 
percent of these attacks occurring against women.
  Over half of domestic violent crimes against both men and women from 
1993 to 1999 were committed by a current boyfriend or girlfriend, and 
almost one-third of women murdered annually are murdered by their 
current or former partners.
  Most troubling for me is that dating violence most often affects our 
youth. The age group of 16 to 24, which is the group most likely to be 
in dating relationships, experiences the highest rates of dating 
violence. These statistics are alarming.
  Dating violence crimes are not restricted to any one racial, 
cultural, or socioeconomic group. Dating violence could happen to 
anyone in a dating relationship. These acts occur everywhere, and are 
committed not by a stranger in a dark alley but by people known and 
trusted by the victims.
  These heinous crimes not only violate the victims, but can destroy 
their ability to trust their friends and loved ones. Dating violence 
affects every aspect of a victim's life, from his or her relationship 
to their performance at school or work. We must act now to help the 
victims of dating violence, these men and women who are attacked by the 
very people in their lives who they trust the most.
  In the last Congress I was proud to cosponsor the reauthorization of 
the Violence Against Women Act. I was more than pleased that the 
overwhelming majority of my colleagues agreed with me on the value of 
this legislation. With 239 cosponsors, VAWA passed overwhelmingly by a 
vote of 371 to 1 in the House and 95 to 0 in the Senate.
  VAWA went a long way in addressing the problem of domestic violence 
in the United States. Unfortunately, however, VAWA omitted critical 
protections for victims of dating violence. When VAWA took the much 
needed step of creating a first-ever legal definition of dating 
violence, as well as authorized a new grant program to provide civil 
legal assistance to domestic violence victims, dating violence victims 
were not covered under the new grants.
  Many domestic violence and dating violence victims do not have the 
money or resources necessary to regain control over their lives. These 
grants go to nonprofit organizations that then collaborate with 
domestic violence and sexual assault service agencies to provide civil 
legal assistance to victims of violence. Access to the legal system can 
make the difference in these victims' power to break the cycle of 
oppressive abuse and regain control over their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, my legislation addresses this omission within the VAWA 
legislation. My bill will address this inconsistency by allowing grant 
recipients to use their funding to assist victims of dating violence. 
This legislation does not cost anything. It simply allows grant 
recipients to help dating violence victims in the same way they 
currently help domestic violence victims. The victims of dating 
violence 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 is just as important for victims of dating violence as it is 
for domestic violence victims. We must ensure that all of these victims 
receive the assistance they need to get their lives back in order.
  I would like to thank our former colleague, Mr. Hutchinson, who is 
now the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, for 
introducing this important legislation before he left Congress. He 
recognized that it is only right that dating violence victims have 
access to the same services as domestic violence victims, and I wish 
him the best of luck in his new post.
  I would also like to thank my friend and neighbor, Senator Mike 
Crapo, who has introduced this bill in the Senate.
  As we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I can think of no 
better way to show victims we care than to pass this legislation. I 
urge my colleagues to cosponsor this important bill and help make a 
difference in the lives of so many men and women in our country.

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