[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16925]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   SUPPORTING REAUTHORIZATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT PROGRAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANNE M. NORTHUP

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mrs. NORTHUP. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Violence 
Against Women Act and to encourage its reauthorization by Congress and 
the President.
  As you know, legislation proposing a federal response to the problem 
of violence against women was first introduced in 1990, although 
violence against my gender has been recognized as a serious social 
problem since the late 1970's. Previous enactment of Violence Against 
Women Act (VAWA) measures have resulted in grant programs and new 
penalties aimed at increasing awareness and reducing the occurrence of 
crimes against women. Reauthorization of VAWA ensures that our 
protection of women and perseverance in this area does not lapse, and 
provides support for the next five years to the law enforcement, 
hotlines, shelters and services, and community initiatives that assist 
our cities and localities in dealing with these types of crimes.
  Through this program, we have been able to better educate the 
American public how to respond to crimes against women. This funding 
has allowed us to bring bring domestic violence out of the shadows and 
into the forefront. For example, in my district of Louisville, since 
VAWA money has become available our area has become a model for other 
jurisdictions because of its multi-disciplinary approach to domestic 
violence. Agencies and organizations, previously struggling to 
cooperate with each other, now are working together.
  As a community we have received approximately $5.5 million in VAWA 
money. Our police are better trained and educated concerning the cycle 
of domestic violence. Victim advocates now work side by side with the 
police to provide a better response to victims of domestic violence. 
More evidence is being collected than ever before, and more victims are 
taking the brave step of coming forward and more convictions are 
stopping the cycle of abuse.
  Violence against women is not solely a problem for women. Every case 
that is left unaddressed has the potential to create more violence, to 
fuel a downward spiral of mental and physical abuse and to destroy more 
families. I believe the initiatives begun in 1990 go a long way in 
addressing the need for a tougher stance in this area. We must continue 
our commitment to increasing personal safety for everyone, and focus 
our efforts on programs that work to educate the public and prevent 
future crimes. We must work to limit the devastating consequences that 
occur to our women, our families and society as a whole.
  I encourage Congress to again support the VAWA programs which are so 
vital to combatting the occurence of domestic abuse, before 
authorization expires on September 30, 2000.

                          ____________________