Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 Through 2009

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEARS 2006 THROUGH 2009 -- (House of Representatives - September 28, 2005)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that is a part of today's Department of Justice Authorization Act. Enacted in 1994, this law provides access to programs and services for many victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Since VAWA was first passed, domestic violence has decreased by almost 50 percent and incidents of rape have decreased by 60 percent More than one million women have used the judicial system to obtain domestic violence protective orders.

During my time as a former King County Prosecutor I saw how VAWA successfully helped many people. The criminal justice system was improved by training police and prosecutors to respond more effectively to incidences of domestic violence or sexual assaults. The Act also provided legal aid so victims may seek justice to their crimes. It provided the tools in order to protect the victims and provide them with the services they need to escape this horrible situation.

But there is still more work to be done. Each year, 960,000 incidents of violence are reported in which the offender has acted against a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend. It is unacceptable that women are still being abused. It is unacceptable that high school students are sexually harassed. It is unacceptable that these victims face the fear and embarrassment of telling others about their situation.

Unfortunately, some victims are faced with the situation where their abuser is a law enforcement officer. I recognize that law enforcement officers are faced with many complex situations and a great deal of work-related stress. I recognize that law enforcement officers are faced with complex situations on a day to day basis while trying to make our communities safer. However, these situations can push many to their limits and cause hardships in their jobs and personal lives.

I would like to bring to your attention the case of Crystal Judson. On April 26, 2003, Tacoma Police Chief David Brame shot his wife, Crystal Judson Brame, before he killed himself in a parking lot in Gig Harbor, a community near my district. Their two young children, ages 8 and 5, sat nearby in their father's car. Crystal had been the victim of abuse for many years prior to this incident, but she was unable to obtain help for herself and her children in part because she lacked the tools and resources she needed.

Unfortunately, there was no policy in place for the City of Tacoma or the Tacoma Police to address this issue.

In response to this incident, the Washington State Legislature passed a law in 2004 establishing standards for law enforcement agencies within the state to prevent and punish future incidents of domestic violence committed by law enforcement officers. I am pleased to see law enforcement agencies taking this matter seriously and implementing policies that help them address these situations.

I am disappointed that I--along with several of my colleagues from Washington State--were not able to offer two amendments that sought to address this issue. The first amendment would have simply clarified that Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecution (STOP) program grants were available to law enforcement agencies to develop policies to address law enforcement officer domestic abuse. STOP grants promotes a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to improving the criminal justice system's response to violent crimes against women by encouraging the development and strengthening of effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to address violent crimes against women and the development and strengthening of victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women.

The second amendment would initiate a study conducted by the Department of Justice to investigate the incidence of domestic violence involving law enforcement officers. Little research has been done on this specific issue in over a decade. A study conducted by the Justice Department could provide policymakers with critical facts and information as we seek to undertake a federal effort to address the issue. While I am pleased that Chairman Sensenbrenner agreed to conduct a GAO Report on law enforcement-officer-involved domestic violence, I hope this study will be conducted in a speedy manner to ensure other victims like Crystal Brame are not left without a voice.

I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure ample funding for VAWA and STOP grants. I look forward to supporting the Chairman in his request and look forward to the results so we can do more to assist victims of domestic abuse.

http://thomas.loc.gov