Domestic Violence is a Political Issue

Our society has come a long way in how it thinks about domestic violence. At this point in our nation's history, a majority of adults think that domestic violence is a serious social problem facing our nation. Most Americans believe that services such as providing shelter, counseling and legal assistance are critical to protecting victims of domestic violence and their children.

National statistics demonstrate that domestic violence is a plague claiming more women and children than violence committed against them by strangers. Indeed, more than 9 times as many women were killed by a man they knew than by a person unknown to them. With respect to teenage girls, one in five female high school students have reported being physically or sexually abused by the person they currently or previously were dating. (See the National Network To End Domestic Violence for sources and statistics).

Legislation to address the problems faced by victims of domestic violence has been introduced by a number of our Democratic Senators and Representatives. For instance, S.1136, The Survivor's Empowerment and Economic Security Act, introduced by Senator Patty Murray (WA), and H.R. 8395, the Security and Financial Empowerment Act, introduced by Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34), both enhance victim safety and security by providing victims the ability to collect unemployment insurance and compensation under certain circumstances, along with leave from work to go to Court and seek medical attention.

These are just a couple of the pieces of legislation pending in Congress to address the needs of domestic violence victims. Unfortunately, with a President who finds it acceptable to limit funding for the Violence Against Women Act, thereby effecting delivery of critical services necessary for the survival of domestic violence victims, we may also see these bills vetoed if they find their way onto the President's desk.

Domestic violence victims and their children need to know that the President of the United States understands their needs and is willing to do what it takes to reduce the incidence of violence in the home. Democrats have proven their compassion and dedication to eradicating domestic violence and there is no doubt that a Democratic President will continue to work towards meaningful solutions to finally put an end to this deadly problem.

As we enter the month of October, which has been designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we need to do everything we can to insure that legislation on the national and state levels is enacted that will lead victims of domestic violence towards independent lives, free of the abuse that has dominated their daily existence. By working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot, we will move much closer to that very important goal.