[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 23, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H6693-H6694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

  (Ms. HAHN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Domestic 
Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity to stand with the millions of 
victims who have suffered in silent fear in their own homes.
  Approximately three women are killed each day as a result of domestic 
violence, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence. 
While our country has made enormous strides in combating domestic 
violence, gaps in Federal law leave millions vulnerable. In this 
Nation, one in six women will find themselves a victim of stalking in 
their lifetime. Many of these encounters turn violent and, tragically, 
women are hurt or killed by their stalkers because of a glaring 
loophole in Federal law.
  Under current law, convicted stalkers of ``intimate partners'' are 
prohibited from possessing firearms, but women who have had no romantic 
relationship with their stalker are left unprotected.
  I have introduced the Protecting Victims of Stalking Act, legislation 
that would address this glaring loophole and prevent stalkers under 
restraining orders from purchasing firearms. I hope you will join me in 
this effort to reaffirm our commitment to protecting the victims of 
domestic violence.

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