[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 161 (Tuesday, October 25, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

  (Mr. QUIGLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give a voice to the 
voiceless victims of domestic violence.
  I want to tell the story of one woman from my State of Illinois who 
endured years of abuse and called our State's Domestic Violence Help 
Line for help.
  In her call, the woman explained that over the years she had suffered 
black eyes, broken and knocked out teeth, and broken bones. She said 
she couldn't take it anymore, but she couldn't leave because she feared 
her abuser would find her and kill her. She was suicidal and said she 
just needed to end it with the pills she had been collecting. Luckily, 
this woman reached out for help. 911 was called, and the help line 
staff stayed on the line with her until the paramedics arrived.
  But, sadly, most women never report their abuse. And even for those 
who do find the strength to report, many are denied services, such as 
shelter, due to scarce resources. I speak today for those who cannot 
speak for themselves to say: We can end domestic violence; all we need 
is the will to do so.

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