As advocates and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, including child sexual abuse, it was deeply disturbing to hear the President of the United States dismiss domestic violence and “crimes that happen in the home” as “lesser crimes” that are not serious or real.
Domestic violence is indeed a real and serious crime, killing an average of three women a day in this country, and harming more than one in three women over the course of their lifetimes. One in seven men, on average, also experience severe physical domestic violence. It is widely recognized as a violent crime and is among the most dangerous and volatile calls, carrying heightened risk for lethality for the law enforcement officers who respond.
Child sexual abuse also occurs most often in the home with family members, family friends or other trusted adults known to the child being the most common perpetrators. At least one in four girls and one in 20 boys experience child sexual abuse, and it can have lifelong and devastating consequences on their mental and physical health. Indeed, growing up in a home with domestic violence or experiencing child sexual abuse are two of the biggest predictors of whether someone may struggle with mental health- related issues or substance abuse as an adult.
As the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) turns 31 later this week, we thank Congress for its steadfast support of it and other federal programs, such as the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, that focus on the response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. These programs have long been the beneficiaries of deep and sustained bipartisan support and have enabled the United States to serve as an inspiration for global change on the treatment of women and girls around the world.
We encourage the White House and Attorney General Bondi to speak out clearly to correct this impression, reiterate to the nation that any form of violence perpetrated against a spouse, partner or child in or out of the home is as serious as other forms of crime and violence, and that the federal government will continue to play a vital role in the response to these crimes. The world is watching and relying on our leadership on this crucial issue.