Lucille Roybal-Allard: “Let me begin by commending Congressman Green for his leadership in helping to highlight the tragedy of domestic violence…”

“Let me begin by commending Congressman Green for his leadership in helping to highlight the tragedy of domestic violence in our country and for arranging today's Special Order. While it is true that we have made some progress toward addressing violence against women, the fact remains that nearly one-third of women in the United States still report being physically or sexually abused by a partner in their lifetime. Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking lead to severe social health and economic consequences for women and our communities, with the estimated cost of violence exceeding $70 billion each year. Our Nation's economic crisis has hammered home the sad truth that financial concerns often keep victims in abusive relationships. Studies indicate that economic independence is a key predictor of whether a victim will be able to break the cycle of violence and leave her abuser. Far too often, it is difficult for victims to maintain employment in the aftermath of domestic violence, especially if they require time off for medical appointments, court appearances, and for their own safety. As a result, women who experience domestic violence are more likely than other women to be unemployed, to suffer from health problems that impact employability and job performance, to report lower personal income, and to rely on welfare. These poor economic outcomes often perpetuate the abuse.…”