[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16653-16654]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I think we have clearance on a 
noncontroversial resolution that is going to pass yet this evening, and 
I rise for about 5 minutes to speak on this issue.
  Last week I submitted a resolution to commemorate the goals and 
ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which takes place 
each
October. I thank Senators Leahy, Ayotte, and Klobuchar for joining me 
as original cosponsors of this measure.
  I have met with many domestic violence victims over the years. We 
have come a long way since the enactment in 1984, with my support, of 
the landmark Family Violence Prevention and Services Act.
  In the decades since then, Congress has committed billions of dollars 
to implement that statute, as well as the Violence Against Women Act, 
and we have seen a decline in the rate of serious partner violence over 
the last two decades, according to the Congressional Research Service.
  But researchers and advocates who work with domestic violence 
survivors remind us that there is still much work to be done to stop 
this terrible crime and support survivors in their efforts to heal. It 
is estimated that as many as 9 million Americans are physically abused 
by a partner every year.
  According to a 2011 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, about 22 percent of women and about 14 percent of men have 
experienced severe physical abuse by a partner in their lifetime.
  Experts tell us that domestic violence affects women, men, and 
children of every age and socioeconomic class, but we also know that 
women still experience more domestic violence than do men, and women 
are significantly more likely to be injured in an assault by a partner 
or a spouse.
  According to the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics, 
women between the ages of 18 and 31 experience the highest rates of 
domestic violence. Most have been victimized by the same offender on at 
least one prior occasion. And, of course, it is heartbreaking to 
realize that millions of American children have been exposed to 
domestic violence, either by experiencing some form of abuse or 
witnessing a family member's abuse.
  The good news is that each and every day, in communities across the 
Nation, there are victim advocates, service providers, crisis hotline 
staff and volunteers, as well as first responders who are working 
tirelessly to extend compassionate service to the survivors of domestic 
violence. I wish to take this opportunity to single out some of these 
folks and extend a special thank-you on behalf of the Senate.
  First, I highlight the hard work of trained volunteers and staff who 
operate crisis hotlines across the country. They are a varied and 
talented group of individuals who, often at low or no pay, make 
confidential support, information, and referrals available to victims, 
as well as their friends and families, each and every day. We 
appreciate their efforts to help countless men, women, and children 
escape abusive situations.
  Next, I recognize the contributions of the talented staff at the 56 
State and territorial domestic violence coalitions around the country 
and the globe. These individuals also help respond to the needs of 
battered men, women, and children, typically by offering their 
expertise and technical support to local domestic violence programs in 
each and every State and territory. In my home State, for example, the 
Iowa

[[Page 16654]]

State Coalition Against Domestic Violence has, since way back in 1985, 
connected local service providers to vitally important training and 
other resources that exist to support Iowa survivors.
  We cannot commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month without also 
mentioning the police officers who are on the front lines in the effort 
to protect crime victims and to prevent abuse in the first place. 
Domestic violence calls can present lethal risks for officers, and we 
mourn those who have lost their lives while responding to such domestic 
violence incidents. We know, too, that in recent decades the law 
enforcement approach to these instances has changed to reflect the 
latest research, and we applaud those police agencies that continue to 
update and improve their domestic violence policies.
  I also recognize those who operate the Nation's domestic violence 
shelters that meet the emergency housing needs of thousands of adults 
and children each day or millions of Americans each year. Last but not 
least, I want to highlight the hard work of the staff at charities and 
agencies across the Nation that are devoted to helping domestic 
violence survivors achieve financial independence, obtain legal 
assistance, and most importantly overcome the detrimental emotional and 
physical effects of abuse.
  As I close, I urge my colleagues to support the adoption of this 
important resolution. With its adoption, we demonstrate the Senate 
supports the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness 
Month.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Perdue). The Senator from Rhode Island.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 
up to 20 minutes in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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