[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 30, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  OCTOBER AS THE 26TH ANNIVERSARY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

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                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 30, 2013

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize this October as the 26th 
anniversary of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States. 
Every day women across our nation live in fear of being abused by a 
partner. An estimated 1.5 million people in the United States fall 
victim to domestic abuse each year and one in four women will 
experience domestic violence at some point in her life. Like a cancer, 
this abuse knows no limits and crosses all ethnic, socioeconomic, and 
party lines.
  For years, the consequences of domestic violence were ignored or 
minimized, but our nation has since witnessed many advances to protect 
and support victims of domestic abuse. The reauthorization of the 
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), passed into law this year, will be 
critical in strengthening the ability of governments, law enforcement, 
and service providers to combat domestic violence.
  But the effects of domestic violence are far-reaching and plague 
generation after generation, so we must continue to work hard to 
intervene in ways that fit individual victims' needs and prevent future 
violence. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting stronger public 
policy initiatives to meet the overwhelming need that remains for 
victim services and a range of domestic violence programs. As community 
leaders, we must pursue every opportunity for domestic violence 
education, advocacy, and prevention services. These are the means by 
which we can help turn domestic violence victims into survivors and 
prevent future domestic abuse.

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