Congressman Anthony Brown's Statement On Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Press Release

Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) today released the following statement in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month:

"Twenty people every minute experience intimate partner violence in the United States. This stark reality is unacceptable, and is a clear indicator that we can and must do more to help those who need protection under the law," said Congressman Brown. "When the system fails, and perpetrators of abuse are allowed to slip through the cracks and escalate their violence, it is our moral responsibility to close these gaps and save the lives of potential victims.

"I continue to advocate strongly for my legislation to close loopholes in our laws and ensure that no domestic abuser and no person who exhibits violent, irrational, or obsessive behavior is able to purchase a weapon -- especially given the evidence that gun-ownership makes homicide much more likely in an abusive relationship. I believe we can build a system that prevents violence and protects survivors by engaging advocates and government at every level."

During the 117th Congress, Congressman Brown reintroduced the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act which closes the dating partner loophole by expanding the definition of "intimate partner" to include current and former dating partners, puts temporary restraining orders on par with permanent restraining orders by restricting the possession of a firearm under a temporary order and brings stalking in line with other domestic crimes, keeping firearms out of the hands of convicted stalkers.

Congressman Brown has also reintroduced the Preventing Domestic Violence Homicides Through Assessment Training Act which creates a grant program for States, local governments, Indian tribes, and domestic violence victim service providers and coalitions for technical assistance and training in the operation or establishment of a lethality assessment program (LAP).

An estimated 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in Maryland have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. In 2019, 20 people were killed in Maryland by intimate partners, and an additional three bystanders were killed. 69% of these deaths were caused by a firearm.

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