Cong. Sheila Jackson Lee Recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Jackson Lee: Domestic violence is an issue that affects individuals in communities regardless of age economic status sexual orientation gender race religion or nationality." Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C.Today Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee senior member of the House Committees on Homeland Security and the Judiciary and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime Terrorism Homeland Security and Investigations released the following statement acknowledging October as Domestic Violence awareness month:

Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October 1981 by the National Coalition against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect battered womens advocates across the nation who was working to end violence against women and their children. Domestic violence is the willful intimidation physical assault battery sexual assault and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence sexual violence threats and emotional abuse. On average nearly 24 people per minute are victims of rape physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year this equates to more than 12 million women and men. Statistics have shown that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Domestic violence can result in physical injury psychological trauma and in severe cases even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. Domestic violence is an issue that affects individuals in communities regardless of age economic status sexual orientation gender race religion or nationality. Therefore I introduced H.R. 5536 Candaces Law which encourages states to provide enhanced sentencing penalties for persons convicted of committing or attempting to commit an act of domestic violence in the presence of minor children. I also introduced H.R. 5538 My Sisters Keeper Act of 2014 which establishes a grant program to empower relatives friends and co-workers of domestic violence victims to create safety plans. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact these legislative proposals into law so that we can stem the epidemic of domestic violence plaguing our nation. Domestic violence affects every American. It harms our communities weakens the foundation of our Nation and hurts those we love most. That is why is so important that during Domestic Violence Awareness Month that all Americans recommit to doing all they can to say no to domestic violence."