On the recordOctober 23, 2013
As we recognize the final days of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I ask Congress to pass legislation that helps put an end to domestic violence. This issue impacts Americans of all backgrounds regardless of age, race, religion, or economic status. One victim of domestic violence is too many; but the heartbreaking reality is that, in this country, three women are killed daily by intimate partners. Young women are at a greater risk to be victims of domestic violence. Four out of every 10 teen girls know people their ages who have been abused by a boyfriend. Last week, I introduced H.R. 3297, the Teen Dating Violence Education Act, which is to protect teenage victims of domestic violence. My bill helps provide schools offering domestic violence inclusion programs with the resources to inform students of their legal rights as they relate to dating violence. Our teens deserve to be empowered with the knowledge to create a safe and secure environment free of domestic violence. Ending teen domestic violence now is a good first step towards preventing future domestic violence among adults. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 3297. ____________________
