Ehrlich on Washington column, October 16, 2000

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON Week of October 1 6, 2000 By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. A Call for Help In the past year alone, almost two million women were physically assaulted in this country. The Department of Justice estimates one in four women in the U.S. has been or will be raped or assaulted by a current or former spouse or boyfriend. These staggering figures illustrate that domestic violence transcends ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic barriers. Domestic violence is not just a problem that happens to “other people.” A woman you know may be struggling as a victim of these harsh acts today. In particular, during October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month - all Americans must help in the fight to eradicate this terrible societal problem. In years past, some people misguidedly viewed domestic violence as a private issue. The reality is we are all susceptible to this national problem. The physical, mental, and emotional abuse the perpetrators inflict on their victims has far-reaching effects - destroying families and tearing apart communities. Moreover, domestic violence negatively impacts the workplace as well as the home. The abuse an employee receives at home can lead to lost productivity, higher stress, increased absenteeism, and higher health care costs. Congress is working to reduce domestic violence and help victims and their families. Recently, we passed H.R. 1248, the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (VAWA), which commits approximately $3.6 billion in federal funds over five years to state and local efforts to prevent and combat violent crime against women. This substantial influx of federal resources can pay for local police, prosecutors, prevention service initiatives, courts, and victim advocates. The VAWA also funds a crisis hotline for those in immediate need. Callers can receive needed counseling and referrals for help in their communities, including emergency services and shelters. Every month, the National Domestic Violence Hotline answers 13,000 urgent calls. Just last month this hotline received its 500,000th call for help. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at: 1 -800-799- SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD). On a local level, I have joined with other members of Congress in embracing the National Call to Protect Program. A partnership between the Wireless Foundation, Motorola, and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Call to Protect program utilizes preprogrammed