Andrea Joy Campbell: “Today on the Senate floor we are recognizing the month of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For far…”

“Today on the Senate floor we are recognizing the month of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For far too long, we have been reluctant to talk openly about family violence. When I was growing up, few viewed violence in the home as a crime. As a young deputy sheriff, I learned that people thought of it as a private matter. Today, we know that domestic violence is not a private family matter, it is a serious crime. And for far too long, domestic violence has been seen as a problem which impacts only women, but this is not true either. Domestic violence is not just a woman's issue. It impacts the entire American family. Domestic violence damages children. The seeds of violence are planted early. We know that children are harmed both emotionally and developmentally when they witness or experience violence. Violence is a learned behavior. So, the cycle of domestic abuse continues generation after generation. Domestic violence also threatens the security and peace of entire communities.”