[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 17, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND STOP VIOLENCE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 17, 2004

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am here this week, along 
with many of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle, for National 
Women's History Month and Stop Violence Week. This year's theme is 
Women Inspiring Hope and Possibility. Last week was Stop Violence week, 
coordinated between Lifetime Television and the Congressional Caucus on 
Women's Issues. This week brought to my attention that in light of all 
these celebrations of how far women have come over the decades, it 
would be naive for us to stand here and believe that we have eradicated 
gender based violence. Statistics keep coming in, showing that the 
problem is widespread for both sexual and domestic violence, and 
victims fear reporting the crimes to proper authorities.
  In my State of Texas, nearly 2 million adult Texans, almost 13 
percent of the State population, have been sexually assaulted.
  In Texas, every 2 minutes, someone is sexually assaulted and two 
women are killed each week by their intimate partner.
  Approximately 31 percent of sexual assault victims reported that a 
family member also has been sexually assaulted. We must raise awareness 
about how we as society can take care of the victims of such crimes. An 
estimate of 82 percent of rapes and sexual assaults go unreported 
because of shame, fear, hurt and anger. Nearly 80 percent of those 
raped know the person who raped them.
  Family and friends not only help their loved one deal with the 
effects of an assault, and must manage their own feelings about the 
victimization of someone they care about. The impact of such a 
traumatic experience is severe. Thirty percent of rape victims 
contemplate suicide, and 13 percent attempt to take their own life.
  I have worked with formidable organizations such as Texans Against 
Sexual Assault, who works to bring voices to women who have been 
victims of sexual crimes, and helping them along an emotional recovery. 
Also, the Texas Council on Family Violence, which has connected more 
than 15,000 Texas victims of domestic violence with emergency shelter 
and protection.
  I am proud to be here, and grateful to these organizations and their 
hard work. But this does not start here. Sexual assault and violence 
affects all racial and ethnic groups. These victims are ourselves, our 
families, neighbors and coworkers. Together we must take a stand and 
work together for women's rights. We must work on building a brighter 
future, and make gender based violence a thing of the past. One week or 
month is not enough to do it all, but it's a beginning. Marian Wright 
Edelman, the founder and President of the Children's Defense Fund said, 
``Justice is not cheap. Justice is not quick. It is not ever finally 
achieved.''
  As a Congress, we come from different places and with diverging 
viewpoints. I want to thank all my colleagues, male and female, from 
all ends of the political spectrum who are taking measures to Stop the 
Violence. Working together, we can begin to make change.

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