Raúl Grijalva: “Violence against women is a serious problem in this country. One in three women will experience physical assault in her…”

“Violence against women is a serious problem in this country. One in three women will experience physical assault in her lifetime, with even greater risks for pregnant women. Women carrying unintended pregnancies are two to four times more likely to experience abuse. Murder is the leading cause of death for pregnant women. An average of three women are killed every day by their husband or boyfriend. Women who experience domestic violence are more likely to delay prenatal care; 4.5 million women in America are assaulted every year. These figures are staggering and serious, but the bill under consideration today, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, does not take the risks women face seriously. This bill completely disregards women as the primary victim of violence. You cannot harm a fetus without causing physical harm to a pregnant woman first. If this body wanted to consider violence against women, pregnant or not, seriously, I have a few alternate suggestions. We could provide adequate funds for the Violence Against Women Act so that no woman seeking help will ever be turned away from a shelter.”