[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23061]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 17, 2000

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, during the month of October, people across 
the nation will don purple ribbons in support of National Domestic 
Violence Awareness Month. As an effort to increase public awareness of 
a problem that causes anguish to so many, residents in my home state of 
North Dakota, as well as across the nation, will participate in myriad 
events, such as candlelight vigils, ``Take Back the Night'' rallies, 
and other educational demonstrations.
  Domestic violence is one of our nation's most prevalent, yet 
misunderstood, tragedies. The North Dakota Council on Abused Women's 
Services recently released statistics concerning domestic violence and 
sexual assault in 1999 that should alarm us all. Last year, 5,821 
incidents of domestic violence were reported to crisis intervention 
centers in North Dakota. These incidents involved 3,597 new victims. 
Among the victims, 95% were women, 37% were under the age of 30, and 2% 
were under the age of 18.
  The North Dakota Council on Abused Women's Services also reported 
that at least 4,750 children were directly impacted by domestic 
violence incidents in 1999. This does not include the large number of 
unreported cases. Withdrawal, low self-esteem, nightmares, self-blame 
and aggression against peers, family members and property are just a 
few of the emotional and behavioral disturbances that children who 
witness violence at home display. These effects stay with a child 
ultimately influencing their educational, professional and personal 
life.
  While commemorating this month of awareness, I am proud to also mark 
the sixth anniversary of one of the most important stands Congress has 
ever taken against domestic violence: The Violence Against Women Act 
(VAWA). Through programs that bolster prosecution of sexual assault and 
domestic violence, increase victim services, and step up education and 
prevention activities, VAWA has gone far to protect individuals from 
sexual offenses and domestic abuse. I am pleased to announce that 
through a bipartisan effort H.R. 1248, the Violence Against Women Act 
of 1999, of which I was an original co-sponsor, passed in the House of 
Representatives. This legislation reauthorizes VAWA programs for five 
more years allowing a number of federal grant programs intended to care 
for those affected by these tragic crimes to continue.
  Domestic violence will not end until the nation as a whole unites in 
saying ``no more!'' Each time one person learns of a domestic violence 
situation and decides to turn her head she is, in effect, approving of 
the situation and allowing it to continue. As members of society we 
must become proactive and take a stand against this horrific situation.

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