[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 132 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 2009

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 
738, a resolution honoring the 15th anniversary of the Violence Against 
Women Act of 1994. As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for 
Women's Issues I am proud to support landmark legislation that shined a 
light on the problem of intimate partner violence and provided women 
with the resources needed to escape violent relationships.
  This 15th anniversary, we celebrate the tremendous gains we have made 
in raising awareness about domestic violence and empowering women to 
leave unhealthy relationships and rebuilt their lives away from their 
abusers.
  President Clinton signed the Violence Against Women Act on September 
13, 1994, as part of the Omnibus Crime Bill. And over the last 15 years 
we have made tremendous progress toward ending the cycle of abuse. 
States have taken up the charge and have passed close to 700 laws to 
combat domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. As a result, 
more victims are reporting their abuse and the number of women killed 
by an intimate partner decreased by 24 percent. The number of 
comprehensive service program has grown exponentially since the passage 
of VAMA.
  However, we have more work to do. Despite these gains, the 
anniversary of VAWA reminds us that there are many women and children 
still living in terror and in constant fear for their safety.
  Today, the cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $5.8 billion 
annually, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health 
services. Nearly 1 in 4 women in the U.S. will be abused by a current 
or former partner at some time in their lives.
  We need to continue looking for a wide range of solutions to this 
problem. We need to devote more resources to helping women and their 
children begin living healthy and happy lives free of violence.
  I am glad we are honoring the legislation on its 15th anniversary and 
I look forward to reauthorizing the program next year. I hope that we 
will continue our efforts to protect women from abuse and encourage the 
building of healthy families.
  I urge all of my colleagues to strongly support the resolution.

                          ____________________