[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 16 (Monday, February 4, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S460-S461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I appreciate the opportunity to be here 
today to highlight my support for a program that is improving life in 
Idaho and across the Nation--the Violence Against Women Act.
  I appreciate joining my colleague Senator Leahy, who will be here on 
the floor in a few minutes, to formally open debate on this 
legislation, and hopefully we will be able to get this over the finish 
line this year, as it is so critical to so many people in this country.
  For nearly two decades, the Violence Against Women Act has been the 
centerpiece of our Nation's commitment to ending domestic violence and 
dating and sexual violence. The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and 
Domestic Violence uses vital funds, among many other things, to promote 
the awareness of healthy relationships in middle and high schools in 
Idaho. It is heartening to hear that the number of Idaho high school 
students reporting that they have experienced dating violence has 
dropped by 5 percent from 2007 to 2011. However, I am sad to report 
that since just January 1 of this year, four deaths have occurred in my 
State from the result of domestic violence. And even one is too many. 
These tragic events serve as a reminder that while we are improving, we 
are far from ending this terrible abuse.
  I am a lifelong champion of the prevention of domestic violence 
because I believe that while we are improving, we can and will do 
better. I stand behind this act as it provides critical services to 
victims of violent crime as well as agencies and organizations that 
provide important aid to those who are often victims in their own 
homes. This legislation provides access to legal and social services 
for survivors. It provides training for law enforcement, prosecutors, 
judges, attorneys, and advocates to address these crimes in our 
Nation's communities. It provides intervention for those who have 
witnessed abuse and are more likely to be involved in this type of 
violence. It provides shelter and resources for victims who have 
nowhere else to turn.
  There is significant evidence that these programs are working not 
just in Idaho but nationwide. The U.S. Department of Justice reported 
that the number of women killed by an intimate partner decreased by 35 
percent between 1993 and 2008. In 2012 it was reported that in 1 day 
alone, 688 women and their children impacted by violence sought safety 
in an emergency shelter or received counseling, legal advocacy, or 
children's support.
  While we may not agree on all of the specifics of this 
reauthorization--and there are portions we will continue to negotiate 
on and to refine--we all do agree on one very important idea; that is, 
violence should not happen to anyone. This critical legislation is very 
effective in helping to address that abuse in our society.
  As I said, there are parts of this legislation about which there are 
still concerns. I am committed, as is Senator Leahy, to working with 
those who have concerns to make the bill better and more workable so we 
can move it through to become law in this session of Congress. But 
after we debate and after we have worked and refined the legislation, I 
urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the authorization of this 
program and to continue the life-changing work this Chamber has been 
committed to for so many years.
  I see my colleague Senator Leahy is on the Senate floor. I started a 
little before he got here. I know he is here to open the debate on this 
legislation. I again thank him for his work on this issue and look 
forward to working with him in this Congress as we move forward.
  Mr. LEAHY. I have enjoyed working with the senior Senator from Idaho. 
If he wants more time--

[[Page S461]]

  Mr. CRAPO. I have concluded my remarks. I yield my time.

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