Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I am proud to introduce the Violence Against Women Health Initiative. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and this bill will raise awareness of domestic violence among health care providers and allow them to better assess and treat survivors of domestic violence. The rates of violence and abuse in this country are astounding. Nearly one in four women in the U.S. has reported experiencing domestic violence at some point in her life. In 2007, there were 248,300 reported incidents of sexual assault in the U.S. Young women experience the highest rates of sexual assault and stalking. Sadly, 15.5 million children in the U.S. live in families in which partner violence has occurred in the past year, and 7 million children live in families in which severe partner violence has occurred. Domestic violence has a significant impact on our country's health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, intimate partner violence costs the health care system over $8.3 billion annually. In addition to injuries sustained during violent episodes, survivors suffer lifelong health complications. Research published in the journal of Women's Health in 2007 found that women who are victimized by violence have 17 percent more primary care doctor visits, 14 percent more specialist visits, and 27 percent more prescription refills than non-abused women. Physical and psychological abuse are linked to a number of adverse physical health effects.…”