[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 15, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9282-S9283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, today I rise to commemorate the tenth 
anniversary of the passage of the Violence Against Women Act, VAWA. One 
of the most prominent woman Latin American writers, Isabel Allende, 
once said, ``How can one not speak about war, poverty, and inequality 
when people who suffer from these afflictions don't have a voice to 
speak?'' Ten years ago today, this body rose up and spoke for a group 
in our society that is frequently left voiceless.
  The number of women in the United States who have been murdered by an 
intimate partner is greater than the number of soldiers killed during 
the Vietnam War. In 1996 alone, over 30 percent of all female murder 
victims in the United States were slain by their husbands or 
boyfriends. These women who lost their lives in the war of domestic 
violence that plagues our country began to have a voice because of the 
passage of VAWA.
  Today, there are roughly 143.4 million women in the United States. Of 
this population, it is predicted that almost 28.7 million, or 20 
percent, will be raped during their lifetime, and one-third will be 
physically or sexually abused. Battery is the single greatest cause of 
injury to women in the United States, accounting for more emergency 
room visits than all other injuries combined. Yet, with these sobering 
statistics there are three times more shelters for neglected animals 
than there are shelters for battered women.
  Jane Addams said, ``Action indeed is the sole medium of expression 
for ethics.'' Ten years ago on this day, the United States Congress 
acted to ensure that all women who are victims of violence receive the 
protection and support they need and deserve. However, there is still 
more work to be done. Domestic violence is a problem that continues to 
afflict our country.
  It is estimated that family violence costs our Nation from $5 to $10 
billion annually in medical expenses, police and court costs, shelters, 
foster care, sick leave, absenteeism, and non-productivity. Remarkably, 
the VAWA domestic violence programs have helped to save money, while 
saving lives. The original VAWA that was authorized 10 years ago saved 
taxpayers at least $14.8 billion in net averted social costs. This 
year, as we move through the appropriations process, I ask all of my 
colleagues to remember the millions of innocent women in this country 
who have been the victims of violence and the effects that violence has 
had, not only on them, but also on their families and our society.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise to commemorate an important 
event in this country's history. Today marks the tenth anniversary of 
the passage of Violence Against Women Act. I am proud that I was an 
original cosponsor of that bill which has done so much to reduce 
domestic violence.

[[Page S9283]]

  The Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA, was originally passed in 
1994, and reauthorized in 2000, both times by overwhelming bipartisan 
majorities. It created our current framework for a comprehensive, 
coordinated response to domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault. 
Before VAWA, domestic violence was too often considered to be a `family 
matter' to which the police turned a blind eye. There were no Federal 
penalties for stalking, domestic violence or violating a protection 
order. And in sexual assault cases, a victim's past sexual history was 
considered a legitimate subject for the defense to bring up in the 
courtroom. All of these basic considerations became law as a result of 
VAWA.
  As a result of this landmark legislation millions of dollars in 
grants are distributed to States and local communities to put these 
cost effective programs into practice. The first VAWA, authorized in 
1994, cost $15.50 per woman and has been estimated to save $159 per 
woman, totaling a savings of nearly $14.8 billion since its creation in 
averted costs of victimization. VAWA programs have helped train 
thousands of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, court officials and 
victim advocates to respond effectively to domestic violence. In the 
first five years after VAWA became law, intimate partner violence 
dropped significantly, and by 2002, violent crimes against women were 
less than half of what they were in 1993. This is a record of which we 
can be very proud.
  On a related note, I am proud to have my name associated with a law 
that has done a great deal to make families safer, the Domestic 
Violence Gun Ban. This law prohibits those convicted of a crime 
involving domestic violence--whether a felony or a misdemeanor--from 
acquiring or possessing a gun. Research shows that the presence of a 
gun in a household where a woman is battered increases the chances of 
her death significantly: often, the only difference between a battered 
woman and a dead woman is the presence of a gun. Since many abusers do 
not get convicted of felonies, this law has helped to keep guns out of 
the hands of thousands of people who are dangerous to their partners 
and families. Since its passage this law has prevented the sale of 
almost 30,000 guns, potentially saving countless lives.
  We cannot mark the passage of this landmark legislation without 
making mention of two particular champions in the campaign to stop 
violence against women. Our friend and former colleague Senator Paul 
Wellstone and his wife Sheila were tireless fighters against domestic 
violence. The Sheila Wellstone Institute, in the first year of its 
existence, has been at the forefront of the movement to institute 
effective policies to stop violence against women and children. On this 
anniversary we should remember their wonderful work, and commit to 
finishing it.
  We still have much more to do. Even today, approximately 4.9 million 
intimate partner rapes and physical assaults are perpetrated against 
U.S. women annually and nearly one in every four women experiences at 
least one physical assault by a partner. When I think about my 
legislative agenda I look to my family: my three daughters and son, and 
my ten grandchildren. The thought that a woman could be the subject of 
abuse is repulsive. Domestic violence doesn't just happen to women; it 
happens to families. That is why we must continue to fund programs to 
help victims, enforce laws protecting women, and teach respect and 
nonviolent problem-solving to our children. We need to make this 
country a place where women and children are safe, whether walking down 
a city street or in their own homes. I hope that my colleagues will 
join me in making this goal a reality.

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