[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 24 (Thursday, March 7, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

  (Mrs. CAPPS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I rise to highlight Lifetime television's 
campaign to Stop Violence Against Women. This violence crosses all 
economic, cultural, racial, religious and educational lines. It is a 
multi-faceted problem with no easy solution. But prevention through 
education and awareness is key to ending the cycle of abuse perpetuated 
against nearly one-third of American women.
  I will soon introduce legislation to dramatically increase the scale 
of intervention by urging every health care provider to screen women, 
age 18 and older, for domestic violence. My bill would also provide 
health care professionals with the training needed to assess women for 
signs of abuse.
  In the confidential environment of a doctor's office or clinic, 
health care professionals would serve as a bridge to the criminal 
justice system. Routine screening for domestic violence would unlock 
options a woman may not otherwise pursue and allow her to see that 
shelter and advocacy services may be useful to her.
  Madam Speaker, I commend all who have worked unwaveringly to bring 
the issue of violence against women to the forefront.

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