[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 156 (Tuesday, November 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2058-E2059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICE CENTER 25TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2001

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call to the attention of 
the House of Representatives an important anniversary which will be 
commemorated in my district on Nov. 13. The Domestic Violence Service 
Center (DVSC) will observe the 25th anniversary of its founding. I am 
pleased to have the opportunity to commend the center for its tireless 
dedication to helping women and children in crisis.
  Originally called Womencenter when it was first conceived in October 
1976, the DVSC began as an assessment agency to focus on the needs of 
area women. The pleas for help from battered women in the first six 
months were overwhelming. Because of this, the Womencenter refocused 
its purpose to address the issue of domestic violence and how it 
affects women and children in the Wyoming Valley. A task force was 
formed to study the issue. The result of that meeting was the founding 
of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV). The 
first coalition of its kind in the United States, the PCADV is still a 
leader in victims' rights issues in the State and the Nation.
  In 1977, the Womencenter received a grant to develop a full-time 
domestic violence program. Services expanded and a liaison with Legal 
Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania was established.

[[Page E2059]]

  A speakers' bureau was begun to promote community awareness. In 1978, 
the task force established the first shelter for battered women in 
Northeastern Pennsylvania. Within one week, the unadvertised shelter 
was completely filled to capacity. That June, the Womencenter 
incorporated as the Domestic Violence Service Center. A board was 
formed and the first officers were elected.
  The number of clients served by the DVSC has grown from approximately 
700 in the 1985-86 fiscal year to more than 2,400 per year at present. 
The Domestic Violence Service Center has served the area as a shelter, 
an advocacy agency, an outreach center, and a counseling center.
  The DVSC has been on the forefront of public education of domestic 
violence and involved with other social service agencies and the 
District Attorney's office in creating a county-wide protocol for the 
handling of domestic violence cases. The center has coordinated with 
local police forces to create a common protocol in handling the actual 
distress calls and has coordinated with local health care providers to 
develop a family violence medical protocol that has been adopted by all 
hospitals in the county as well as by numerous home health care 
professionals and physicians' offices. Most recently, in July 2001, the 
center received funding to support its partnership with Northeast 
Counseling Services to implement a Mental Health Advocacy Project, a 
first of its kind in the state. The project will cross-train mental 
health and domestic violence staff and provide informed services to 
clients of both agencies.
  Led by President Mary Ellen Roberts and Executive Director Ellen 
Moyle Harris, the DVSC serves as an example to the entire State of 
Pennsylvania. The center also plays a leadership role statewide through 
representation on PCADV committees including ones that handle legal 
advocacy, contracts, legislative and planning matters. In addition, Pat 
Kwetkauskie, a DVSC representative, chairs the Pennsylvania Medical 
Advocacy Task Force and has also chaired a committee of the former 
Attorney General's Domestic Violence Task Force. DVSC staff and 
training team volunteers have also presented workshops and lectures at 
state, regional and national conferences. At a statewide PCADV 
conference in 1991, 12 members of the DVSC board, staff and advisory 
committee were honored with Leadership in Action awards.
  The DVSCs Court Advocacy, Medical Advocacy, STOP Violence Against 
Women Projects continue to be integral parts of DVSC services, and the 
center continues to provide technical assistance to agencies in other 
counties that are interested in duplicating DVSC programs.
  Most importantly, the Domestic Violence Service Center has provided 
shelter for thousands of battered women who flee their homes, often in 
the middle of the night, afraid for their lives and the lives of their 
children.
  Mr. Speaker, the impact of domestic violence affects the entire 
community. Each year, the center conducts a solemn and poignant 
candlelight vigil at the Luzerne County Courthouse to commemorate 
Domestic Violence Month. I have had the honor of participating in this 
event. I am proud to commend the hardworking staff, board of directors, 
and volunteers on their dedicated effort to help those who would 
otherwise be trapped indefinitely in a crisis situation. Through their 
work and dedication, they offer a place for women and children to turn 
to break the cycle of violence. Although this anniversary is not a 
celebration, it is a call to each of us to help stop this devastation 
of the American family. Mr. Speaker, I hope this anniversary will 
expand public awareness of the important work that the DVSC does.

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