[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 159 (Friday, October 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF GATEWAY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES

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                            HON. JASON CROW

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 4, 2019

  Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, in honor of October being National Domestic 
Violence Awareness Month, I rise today to recognize Gateway Domestic 
Violence Services.
  In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate 
Gateway Domestic Violence Services on its 40th Anniversary. Since 1979, 
Gateway has steadfastly provided services to over 400,000 adults and 
children who are experiencing family violence throughout the City of 
Aurora and Arapahoe County.
  Gateway has assisted these individuals through their 24/7 Crisis 
Line, Emergency Shelter, Extended-Stay Shelter, Nonresidential 
Counseling Program and Court Advocacy Program. These services have 
resulted in allowing individuals and families to live a life free from 
violence in their homes.
  The scourge of domestic violence is widespread and affects people of 
all ages, races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. It is 
estimated that 50 percent of all families in the United States are 
impacted by intimate partner violence. A woman is assaulted or beaten 
every 9 seconds and approximately 4 victims are killed each day by an 
intimate partner. The trauma suffered by children who witness domestic 
violence can result in their inability to form healthy relationships.
  Today, it is my honor to commemorate Gateway's 40th anniversary. The 
work they do in our community is necessary and impressive. In 2018 
alone, they answered just under 8,000 crisis calls, served 789 
individuals between their two shelters, counseled 229 adults and 
children, walked through the court process with 2,925 victims, and 
presented on the issues of family violence 102 times to groups 
throughout the community.
  Gateway diligently strives to ensure that every victim that reaches 
out for help is treated with dignity, respect and given the tools to 
help break the cycle of violence they are experiencing. Furthermore, 
their work helps ensure victims are not blamed for the violence they 
experience and will not have to continue to live in fear of abuse in 
their own home.
  I am confident that Gateway Domestic Violence Services will continue 
to provide quality services to victims throughout the community, as 
they have done for the past 40 years

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