[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 5, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H1521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE SECOND ANNUAL STOP VIOLENCE WEEK IN WASHINGTON

  (Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in 
support of those fighting domestic violence in our communities.
  Historically we have viewed domestic violence as a woman's issue, and 
statistics tend to support that school of thought. Nearly one-third of 
American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband 
or boyfriend at some point in their lives, every 2 minutes a woman is 
raped in the United States, and more than 500,000 women are stalked 
every year.
  But as we all become more educated on the causes and the effects of 
such actions, we realize that this is a problem that is not gender-
biased, but one that touches every aspect of our society. It affects 
families, children, friends and even coworkers.
  More and more, men are joining the voices in the fight against 
domestic violence, and I applaud them for having the insight to 
understand that this is more than a woman's issue and that it is 
everybody's responsibility. And I applaud organizations like the 
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence for continuing to raise 
awareness of this issue and for all who join them to protect women 
across this country and in the world.

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