[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 131 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  20 YEARS OF VAWA--THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE AND THE LONG ROAD AHEAD

                                  _____
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 15, 2014

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 
changed the way we view domestic violence in the United States.
  On the 20th anniversary of VAWA, we celebrate the progress we have 
made, but we also take this time to recognize how much further we have 
to go in ending this horrific crime.
  20 years ago domestic violence was viewed as a ``family issue.''
  Fortunately, in 2014, we educate men and women on this issue and have 
many more resources available for victims and tougher punishments for 
abusers.
  As a society, we try to make victims feel comfortable coming forward 
so they can be protected and move forward with their lives, away from 
their abuser.
  Sadly, though, many individuals and organizations still do not take 
domestic violence seriously enough.
  The NFL had to be shamed into suspending Baltimore Ravens running 
back Ray Rice for two games for abusing his fiancee after a video 
surfaced of him dragging his unconscious fiancee out of an elevator by 
her hair.
  And shamed even further for the Baltimore Ravens to finally terminate 
his contract and for the NFL to suspend him indefinitely.
  That is, only after, the full, more graphic video was released making 
it beyond clear what happened inside of that elevator.
  Ray Rice knocked his fiancee out cold.
  Like it or not, professional athletes are role models. Is this the 
type of person we want our children looking up to?
  This summer, the NFL did not care about intimate partner violence as 
a serious crime. They cared about saving face.
  Not saving the faces and bodies and souls of women in this country, 
but protecting their own image and bottom line.
  In the spirit of VAWA, we must continue to speak out against abusers 
and those that do not take criminal conduct seriously, and we must 
continue to stand up for victims.
  Victims of abuse must come forward for their own safety and that of 
their children.
  What kind of message are we sending these victims when we put men who 
abuse their partners on a pedestal? When we treat celebrities or 
professional athletes who commit the same crime differently because of 
their status?
  I am proud of how much VAWA changed the landscape for victims in our 
country over the past 20 years, but this latest incident demonstrates 
there is more work to be done.
  And that's just the way it is.

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