[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 16505-16506]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

  (Mr. RUIZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 
Unconscionably, domestic violence has reached pandemic proportions, 
affecting one out of every three women in the United States.
  As an emergency medicine doctor, I have witnessed firsthand the 
devastating effects of domestic violence. I have treated the beaten and 
bruised bodies of countless women who were victims of domestic 
violence, and I have been inspired by their unbroken spirits.
  I am proud of the work that many are doing to prevent domestic 
violence and keep women safe throughout my district and our country, 
like Shelter from the Storm in the Coachella Valley.
  Domestic violence is a leading threat for women. On average, four 
women are murdered by their intimate partner every day in the United 
States. A woman is battered in the U.S. every 15 seconds. That equals 
240 domestic violence episodes in one hour.
  No woman should ever suffer domestic violence, and those who are 
victimized should know that they have access to the care and services 
they need to

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seek justice. We must continue to work together to take steps to 
prevent domestic violence, stand up for those who are victims, and hold 
perpetrators accountable to the full extent of the law.
  To my patients in my district and women victims across the country, 
please, never give up.

                          ____________________