Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
By Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
October has been recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in our country since 1987. During this month and throughout the year, Americans should join together to eradicate the scourge of domestic violence from our society.
Recent domestic violence cases involving members of the National Football League have once again ignited a national conversation that should be used to ensure that all victims of domestic violence are treated fairly.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the landmark Violence against Women Act (VAWA). Prior to the enactment of that legislation, domestic violence was not taken as seriously as it should have been. Today, federal resources are provided to state and local law enforcement agencies to address violent crimes against women.
One of the major goals of the law is to place pressure on state and local governments to treat domestic violence with a sense of seriousness. Another major goal is to enhance civil and criminal assistance programs for victims of abuse.
Domestic violence is very prevalent in our society. According to the U.S. Justice Department, domestic violence is responsible for the deaths of three women in the United States each day. Two of every three people in our country who are fifteen years of age or older know a person who has been the victim of domestic abuse or sexual assault.
The Texas Council on Family Violence recently released its annual report which stated that Dallas County and Harris County, in South Texas, had the highest numbers of women killed in domestic abuse cases in 2013. Twenty women were victims in each jurisdiction. Across the state, 119 women were killed in domestic abuse cases in 2013, according to the report. This is unacceptable!
Domestic and sexual violence are forms of abuse that have long plagued communities in our country and abroad. Women who fall victim to domestic and sexual violence should not feel ashamed or suffer silently.
By standing resolute in support of women’s humanity, the Violence Against Women Act empowers victims by providing them with advocates and a voice. We must continue to strengthen our responses to domestic abuse, and deepen our commitment to its survivors.
The current prevalence of domestic violence in our society should be unacceptable to everyone. As we acknowledge Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let us stand together as one nation and proclaim zero tolerance for domestic violence, and work together to end it in our society.
