[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 31 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E354-E355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    STOPPING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 2004

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to an 
epidemic plaguing our Nation--violence against women. Too often we

[[Page E355]]

hear appalling statistics highlighting this fact; particularly 
regarding cases of domestic violence.
  Nearly one-third of American women report being physically or 
sexually assaulted by a husband or boyfriend during their lifetime. The 
violence is not limited to adult women: One in five high school girls 
reports being abused by a dating partner.
  In 2002 in my home State of New Jersey there were 79,844 domestic 
violence offenses reported by the police. Women were the victims in 
over 77 percent, or 61,715, of all these domestic violence offenses. In 
New Jersey, one act of domestic violence occurs every 6 minutes and 35 
seconds.
  In Passaic County, New Jersey there were 4,892 reported cases of 
domestic violence. The numbers are shocking. The crimes: heinous--3 
Homicides, 6 Criminal Sexual Contacts, 2,825 Assaults, 280 Criminal 
Mischief cases, 469 Terroristic Threats, 48 Burglaries, 8 Kidnappings, 
23 Criminal Trespass cases, 6 Criminal Restraint cases, 1,183 
Harassment cases, 3 False Imprisonments, 20 Stalking cases, and 18 
Sexual Assaults. Women were the victims in at least 3,767 of these 
cases.
  We have a responsibility to reverse these unacceptable statistics. 
The women of Passaic County, of New Jersey and the entire Nation, 
deserve better. No woman should live in fear of domestic violence.
  In addition to the terror, domestic violence is a serious health care 
issue that affects thousands of women and their children. The health-
related cost of domestic violence against women exceeds $5.8 billion 
each year.
  Health care providers are on the front lines of the battle as they 
often identify domestic violence and provide victims with care and 
support. That is why I support the Domestic Violence Screening, 
Treatment and Prevention Act, which would provide research on the 
health impact and prevention of family violence; training for health 
care professionals regarding identification and treatment for families 
experiencing family violence; and health care coverage for domestic 
violence identification and treatment.
  There is great need for both women and men to join together to speak 
out and stop the violence. Stop the violence against women. As a 
Congress, as a Nation, we must work to protect the rights of women and 
ensure that they have the support and services necessary.

                          ____________________