[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 142 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1952-E1953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NEVER HURT SOMEONE YOU LOVE

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2007

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, for too many people in this country, love 
comes with bruises, broken bones, and black eyes. Twenty years ago, the 
first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. In the past 20 
years, there are programs, education, and funding dedicated to 
preventing domestic violence, but domestic violence is still a 
dangerous reality for too many Americans. One in every four women will 
be a victim of domestic violence during her lifetime. But domestic 
violence doesn't discriminate--it affects everyone--men, women, and 
children of every race, ethnicity, religion, and economic status. It 
affects the workplace, increases health care costs, and spurs even more 
violence among children who witness it at home. The cost of domestic 
violence is staggering--over $5.8 billion each year. Domestic violence 
happens

[[Page E1953]]

during dating and in marriages. Children who witness domestic violence 
at home do poorly in school, use drugs and alcohol at an early age, and 
are more likely to engage in violent behavior themselves. Boys who 
witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own 
partners and children when they become adults.
  As a former prosecutor and judge, I founded the Congressional Victim 
Rights Caucus to advocate for crime victims. I sponsored H. Res. 590 to 
declare October 2007 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 
October will raise awareness of the increasing number of abusers who 
murder their victims and then take their own lives, in addition to the 
financial strain experienced by domestic violence victims, including 
loss of employment and loss of housing. In October, thousands of victim 
advocacy organizations, State coalitions, and community groups will 
hold events to bring awareness to the violence that affects men, women, 
and children every single year. Community awareness about domestic 
violence allows victims to seek help--it creates shelters for domestic 
violence victims to seek refuge in, holds abusers accountable, and 
helps children live in nonviolent homes.
  In the past, Congress's support of this month has led to an 
increasing number of local community groups, religious organizations, 
health care provides, corporations, and media addressing domestic 
violence in communities.
  Congress has been instrumental in increasing the funding for programs 
located under the Violence Against Women Act, VAWA, but there is still 
a need for further awareness of domestic violence. Let's send a message 
to domestic violence victims that Congress is their voice. And that's 
just the way it is.

                          ____________________