Louise Slaughter: “The DeGette motion instructs conferees to accept the Senate provision to create the independent Violence Against Women…”

“The DeGette motion instructs conferees to accept the Senate provision to create the independent Violence Against Women Office in the Department of Justice, and to accept the House provisions defining the duties and authority of the Violence Against Women's Office. This office has been really important. Since 1995, it has heightened awareness throughout the United States about what happens with domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. This office formulates policy, and administers more than $270 million annually in grants to State governments as well as to local community organizations, trains police and prosecutors and courts to address violence against women. In addition, it assists these organizations with the ability to give the highest quality of services to the victims and full administration of justice. The importance of the Violence Against Women Office cannot be overestimated. In fact, a survey conducted by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that domestic violence has dropped 21 percent since the inception of this office, showing that the grants that they have given out have borne fruit.”