[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 140 (Monday, October 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

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                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 28, 2002

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize October as 
Domestic Violence Prevention Month and add my strong support to the 
struggle against domestic abuse.
  Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity for us to 
remember those who have been victims of abuse, to support those who are 
survivors, to educate ourselves about the barriers and hardships 
domestic violence victims face, and to find effective and lasting 
solutions to this horrific crime.
  I would like to share a story with you about a domestic violence 
survivor named Anna. Anna is married to an abusive man, who regularly 
harasses, threatens, and hits her. One evening, he flew into a rage and 
brutally beat her, because she was considering leaving him.
  Anna came into work the next day and confided to her supervisor that 
her injuries were the result of domestic violence. Her boss referred 
her to the Human Resources office where the staff had training in 
working with employees who are victims of domestic violence. Human 
Resources helped Anna contact a local domestic violence service 
provider.
  The employer gave Anna the rest of the day off to meet with a 
counselor and figure out other precautionary steps. When made aware 
that she would need several days off to get a restraining order and 
move into a shelter, Anna called her boss who gave her additional time 
off.
  Before returning to work, Anna was able to develop a safety plan with 
her boss and counselor that included one afternoon off per week to 
attend group counseling sessions at the local service provider.
  Anna's ability to get help and support from her employer had a 
significant positive impact on her life. Anna found a safe place to 
live and remained economically independent. Anna's boss also gained 
significantly by retaining a productive and contributing employee. 
Further saving the company time and money in not having to recruit and 
retrain a new employee.
  Mr. Speaker, I use this story to underscore the benefits of having a 
supportive system in place to help domestic violence victims break the 
vicious cycle of violence. Sadly, however, this story is fiction rather 
than fact. Anna's story is a far cry from what most domestic violence 
victims currently encounter when they seek help from their employers. 
Federal law does not specifically allow women to take leave from work 
to effectively deal with abuse. Nor do most states allow women who 
leave work as a result of domestic violence to collect unemployment 
compensation.
  Instead, victims of abuse live with the added fear of losing their 
job and falling into poverty if they take time off to go to a shelter 
or seek a protective order. In addition employers also lose out. It is 
estimated that it costs employers $100 million a year as a result of 
higher turnover, lower productivity, absenteeism and health and safety 
expenses.
  To address the inadequacy of our current laws, I have introduced the 
Victim's Economic Security and Safety Act also known as VESSA. This 
bill ensures that victims of domestic violence are allowed to take time 
off from work to make necessary court appearances, seek legal 
assistance, contact law enforcement officials or make alternative 
housing arrangements, without the fear of being fired or demoted. 
Further, to make sure victims can retain financial independence VESSA 
requires states to provide unemployment benefits to women who are 
forced to leave work as a result of domestic violence. In addition, 
VESSA creates a workplace safety program tax credit for 40 percent of 
the costs incurred or paid by an employer who implements a domestic 
violence workplace safety and education program.
  Mr. Speaker, Anna's story, although fiction, clearly illustrates how 
a comprehensive support system can help to break the cycle of violence 
as well as, benefit business and society as a whole. I am extremely 
pleased to announce that VESSA has already garnered the support of 115 
of my colleagues in the House of Representatives. I'm hopeful that with 
the increased support of my colleagues in Congress VESSA will soon 
become law, and help turn victims of domestic abuse into survivors.

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