John Conyers: “Mr. Chairman, in some respects, this may be the most significant amendment to this legislation. It has been worked on by…”

“Mr. Chairman, in some respects, this may be the most significant amendment to this legislation. It has been worked on by many Members and many organizations, and I urge its consideration, because it would add several important titles to the bill, all designed to combat violence against women. Mr. Chairman, the amendment provides grants to states for law enforcement and prosecution to combat violence against women and to encourage police departments to initiate pro-arrest policies in domestic violence cases. It provides standards, practices and training for sexual assault examinations in order to assure that the necessary forensic evidence is gathered to prosecute sexual assault cases. It has a provision designed to protect children from domestic violence and sexual assault, allowing those with legal custody or visitation rights to a child to use as a defense to the charge of parental kidnapping the fact that the child has been subject to domestic violence or sexual assault. In order, however, to maintain this defense, the domestic violence must have previously been reported to law enforcement authorities.”