Thomas Daschle: “Senator Biden has long been a champion in bringing domestic violence to the forefront of the national agenda. He was a…”

“Senator Biden has long been a champion in bringing domestic violence to the forefront of the national agenda. He was a leader in the bipartisan effort to pass the Violence Against Women Act, and I worked with him last year to ensure the independence of the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice. The Violence Against Women Act made a statement in law that fighting domestic violence is not just sound family policy, it is a moral imperative. It made a statement that domestic violence is not the shameful secret of a select few families, it is an issue with immense repercussions for all of us. Most importantly, it made a statement that as a country, a society, and a national family, we can do something about domestic violence. As a direct result of the Violence Against Women Act our Nation has made significant strides in the fight against domestic violence. There are more domestic abuse hotlines and more shelters today than there were 10 years ago. There are more doctors, nurses, therapists, teachers, police officers, judges and other community leaders today who recognize the signs of domestic violence, and know how to help when they see those signs. VAWA has also provided financial means to Native American communities and tribes to combat domestic violence. Before 1994, domestic violence and sexual assault services and resources were rare in Indian Country.”