Eleanor Holmes Norton: “I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the reauthorization of the Violence…”

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. The world has changed, my friends, since our last reauthorization of VAWA. This bill updates VAWA to cover new victims of domestic violence that were not covered in our prior bill and desperately need protection. In addition, the #MeToo movement has made women more determined concerning their rights than ever before. Perhaps the most desperate need of victims of domestic violence is for sanctuary, shelter, emergency housing, and affordable housing, all in short supply. Victims who stay with an abuser risk everything: homelessness, loss of custody of children, more abuse, and even injury and death. Victims who remain with an abuser in 40 to 50 percent of cases also see their children abused. Forty to as high as 70 percent of female homicide victims were murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in a relationship where there had been ongoing abuse. Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, the most serious issue confronting victims is no alternative place to live or even to shelter. One-third of survivors become homeless immediately after separating from partners. Our bill bars the eviction of the victim until suitable housing or a termination of a lease without penalty can occur. Grants to help homeless victims achieve stability are necessary to prevent recurrent bouts of homelessness from domestic violence.…”