Family and Social Policy
No one should have to live in fear of being repeatedly attacked by a spouse, family member or partner. Yet that is the case for hundreds of Idahoans and millions of Americans. Those statistics are why I joined Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (pictured) as a lead sponsor of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) twice during this decade, the most recent successful effort was this year. Congress passed a five-year renewal to this critical legislation which strengthens programs and policies meant to prevent domestic and sexual violence and ensure continued services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The law includes new and vital protections for all victims of domestic violence, seeks to reduce the backlog of untested rape kits throughout the country, provides needed assistance to law enforcement in prosecuting sexual assault crimes, and assists law enforcement in investigating human trafficking crimes by also reauthorizing for four years the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which expired in September 2011.
Throughout my time representing the interests of Idahoans, I have had the opportunity to visit Idaho shelters and attend briefings by local and state domestic violence abuse prevention advocates. Among these experiences is a visit to a safe house for children in Twin Falls County that I will never forget. During the visit, I met a couple of young children who were victims of child abuse. The lasting effects of abuse on their lives touched me deeply and galvanized my focus on abuse prevention.
Thankfully, progress is being made in reducing this violence. For example, the number of Idaho high school students reporting they have experienced dating violence dropped by five percent from 2007-2011. However, many lives continue to be impacted by domestic violence. According to the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, 2013 started with eight fatalities related to domestic violence in Idaho. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 1 in 4 women has been the victim of severe physical domestic violence, and 1 in 5 women has been raped in her lifetime. We must not let up in working to ensure victims, service providers and law enforcement have the tools required to combat these horrific crimes.
A strong family unit is the bedrock of a healthy society. Many of the important issues facing American families today are the subject of legislation being addressed in Congress. Issues such as family and dating violence intervention, awareness and prevention; child predators—online or in person; methamphetamine and other illicit drug abuse awareness and prevention; protection of unborn children; and, preservation of marriage all affect the state of our families. We must stand guard against destructive behavior and policies that threaten to harm our families and our children, and we must support healthy, morally-sound relationships, free from physical and emotional abuse and drug abuse.
Having led efforts to raise awareness of teen dating violence and established the first full week in February as National Teen Dating Violence Prevention Week in 2005, I continue to be actively involved in generating public awareness about family and dating violence. I will continue to promote legislation and initiatives that help victims stand against some of the most difficult problems facing families today, and help victims’ advocates promote awareness and education about how to move beyond tragedy to healing.
