[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 36 (Thursday, March 6, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2003

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, domestic violence is not just an issue that 
affects women; it is an issue that affects us all. So many of our 
mothers, sisters, co-workers, colleagues and friends may be victims of 
domestic violence and you may never even know. The woman sitting next 
to you may be battered or abused, and she is keeping it a deep dark 
secret because she is embarrassed, ashamed, or afraid. We need to 
continue to work hard to bring the issue of domestic violence out of 
the closet. Silence will not fix the problem. We need programs that 
continue to bring the issue out in the open and let victims know that 
their lives mean something! Let them know that there is no 
justification for abuse and that they do not have to live with it day 
after day. Victims need to know that there are places that they can go 
and people who can help. Victims need to know how to enact a plan so 
that they can flee their batterer and have resources available so that 
they are not forced to go back. It takes a tremendous amount of courage 
to flee an abuser, having the resources available to stay away should 
be the farthest thing from a victim's mind. That is why it is so 
important to have counseling services available helping with 
preparation.
  I saw a flyer the other day entitled ``10 Things Men Can Do to 
Prevent Men's Violence Against Women.'' Men need to understand that 
while most never abuse, there are factors that contribute to the cycle 
of violence and all of us need to do our part to end the cycle. We need 
to teach our sons how not to abuse and how not to contribute to it. We 
need to teach them that women must be treated with respect and dignity. 
Until men become actively involved in ending domestic violence, these 
cycles will never be broken.

                          ____________________