WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today announced the launch of the first-ever week in Washington to stop violence against women.  Schakowsky, who will be introducing legislation commemorating International Women’s Day, congratulated Lifetime Television for their commitment to women’s safety. The week is an extension of Lifetime Television’s unprecedented grassroots campaign to make ending the abuse a national priority.

“I am proud to join the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, advocates, and Lifetime Television in launching a major initiative that will help us break the vicious cycle of violence, forever.  The “Stop Violence Week in Washington” is the first-ever week when the voices in the anti-violence community will come together on Capitol Hill to make ending violence against women a national priority,” Schakowsky said.  

“At this time when we are devoting extensive resources to ending terror around the world, let us not forget to address the terror of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking that plagues women’s lives.   Two years ago, we successfully re-authorized the Violence Against Women Act and won even stronger protections for women escaping abuse.  We must do more,” she added.

During the week, Schakowsky will introduce a bipartisan resolution commemorating International Women’s Day.  Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) will introduce a similar resolution in the Senate.  And on Thursday, March 7, Schakowsky will host a briefing with Congressional Women’s Caucus Chairs Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA) to examine the needs and identify solutions to stop violence against women. 

“Through this collective effort, we are shining the light on a national and international tragedy.  I will introduce a resolution to support the goals of International Women’s Day.  We must work as Republicans and Democrats, as Americans, in solidarity with the international community, to end the terror in women’s lives not just at home, but across the world,” Schakowsky said.

Throughout the week, members of Congress will have the opportunity to meet with advocates and survivors of abuse, deliver speeches on the House floor on the need for action, and show their solidarity to stop the violence.  Members are also expected to hold events in their communities to raise awareness about this very critical issue.  

Schakowsky is also the author of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims’ Housing and the Battled Immigrant Family Relief Acts.  

“With the support of more than 100 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, I have introduced legislation that would help build up our nation’s severely lacking transitional housing assistance resources so that women and children fleeing violence can begin the road to self sufficiency. I am also working to remove legal obstacles so that immigrant women can leave abusive situations. We can not allow our laws to be manipulated to advantage abusers,” Schakowsky said.

She added, “However, while it is critical to provide assistance and services to those in need, we must also devote resources to ending the violence once and for all. Every day, women are plagued with the threat of violence.  The statistics are chilling.  One out of every 6 women and girls in the US will be beaten or sexually assaulted in her lifetime.  This is not only appalling, but completely unacceptable.”