Press Release

Contact: Sabrina Siddiqui 202-226-6476

Washington, Oct 26 - Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) co-sponsored a House Resolution supporting Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Congressman Loebsack has taken initiative to raise awareness on domestic violence and the devastation that it incurs. A member of the Victims’ Rights Caucus and the Women’s Issues Caucus, Congressman Loebsack is committed to working with local organizations on the ground in Iowa to secure funding and support for shelters that aid victims and their families.

“Far too many women and families in this country and around the world are affected by domestic violence. Nationwide, 1 out of 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime,” said Congressman Loebsack. “At a time when local and state budgets are under severe strain, we must do all that we can to draw attention to the shelters and programs that are all too often underfunded and overlooked. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we must recommit ourselves to ending domestic violence within our homes, our communities, and our country.”

In Iowa, there were over 7,000 reported cases of domestic violence in 2005. Across the country, an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services. Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.

During this month, Congressman Loebsack is working to raise awareness on domestic violence and has visited shelters in the district, meeting with volunteers, staff, and people affected by domestic violence.