Reps. Green, Larson, and Graves Introduce Legislation to Recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month
(Washington, DC) – On Wednesday, October 27, 2021, Congressmembers Al Green (TX-09), Rick Larsen (WA-02), and Garret Graves (LA-06) released the following statement regarding their introduction of the Bipartisan Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resolution of 2021:
“Domestic violence has been a pervasive ill in our society for far too long. It is a widespread form of abuse that disproportionately affects women and does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, age, class, or religion. One in four women and one in seven men ages 18 and older will experience domestic violence at some point in their life,” Congressman Al Green said. “Distressingly enough, domestic abuse cases have further intensified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic— not only in numbers but also in severity. Safety protocols and stay-at-home orders imposed as a result of the pandemic greatly reduced the ability of many people to access lifesaving resources.”
Congressman Al Green – who has been introducing this resolution annually– added, “Victims of domestic violence suffer consequences that extend far beyond physical injury. Subjects on the receiving end of this abuse are also left with emotional and psychological trauma that can jeopardize their personal relationships and professional trajectories, trigger substance abuse, or even lead them to attempt suicide. It is time for this Congress to act now and address the devastating reality that many people, especially women, face on a daily basis.”
“Domestic violence is a pervasive problem regardless of class, culture, age, or ethnic background,” said Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02). "In Washington state’s Second District, service providers offer wide-ranging services to all survivors of domestic violence, including those who experience traumatic abuse. I will continue to be a strong supporter of increasing federal resources for these vital initiatives to ensure when survivors come forward for help and support, it will be available and safe.”
“Domestic and dating violence is an issue that affects one in three women, and unfortunately, we have seen an estimated 8.1 percent increase in domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, we must renew our commitment to preventing abuse before it starts, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable,” Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA) stated. “This resolution acknowledges all the hard work done by the domestic violence crisis centers and advocates in Louisiana. They work every day to make sure victims have access to the lifesaving services and resources that they need to get back on their feet. We will continue to work toward more safety and support for survivors, increase prevention efforts, expand educational awareness surrounding domestic violence, implement training for health professionals and law enforcement, and coordinate responses across agencies.”
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The Bipartisan Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resolution of 2021 has a total of 160 Democratic and Republican original co-sponsors. This resolution has been endorsed by the National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Council of Jewish Women, Tahirih Justice Center, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Esperanza United, YWCA USA, and Futures Without Violence.