FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          AG
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1995                            (202) 514-2008
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                 
 ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY
              SHALALA MEET WITH ADVISORY COUNCIL 
                    ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
     ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEES SLASH FUNDING

     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Attorney General Janet Reno and Health and
Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala today named 41 national
leaders to an Advisory Council on Violence Against Women, to
provide them with practical and general policy advice concerning
the implementation of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act.  The
announcement was made at a press conference this morning at the
White House Conference Center.  The 41 member Advisory Council met
for a day long meeting following the announcement.

     The Advisory Council meeting coincides with Congressional
efforts to cut funding for federal efforts to combat violence
against women.  In recent days, two House Appropriations
Subcommittees have cut funding for Justice Department and Health
and Human Services Department programs authorized under the
Violence Against Women Act.  On June 28th, the House Commerce, 
Justice, State Appropriations Subcommittee cut nearly $100 million
of funding for the Justice Department's Violence Against Women Act
programs in Fiscal Year 1996.   On July 11th, the House Labor/HHS
Appropriations Subcommittee reneged on the commitment to assist
local anti-violence programs by slashing nearly $62 million from
HHS's Violence Against Women Act programs.  

     The HHS cuts wipe out new money for shelter and advocacy
services and rape prevention and education services.  The
Subcommittee did keep $400,000 for a domestic violence hotline, but
a hotline cannot help women in need if there are not adequate
resources in the community.

     Despite the Congressional attacks, Attorney General Reno
insisted that the effort to fight domestic violence would move
forward.  "This is an important step in implementing President
Clinton's Crime Bill, and in developing an effective national
response to the problems of domestic violence and sexual assaults,"
the Attorney General said.  "Too often in the past, violence
against women has gone unreported and unprosecuted.  That time has
passed.  We need to educate all Americans about the serious nature
of these crimes and the tools that are available to prevent them
from occurring."

     "Domestic violence is a serious public health problem,"
Secretary Shalala said.  "As a result, we need doctors to do a lot
more than treat injuries.  We need our medical personnel to find 
out how the patient was injured.  We need them to help prevent it
from happening over and over.  And we need medical workers to learn
guidelines for treating abuse and learn where they can send victims
for help.  That is why the work and advice of this council is so
badly needed."

     The Advisory Council's 41 members include prominent leaders in
law enforcement, public health, victims rights, social services,
the business community, religious organizations, higher education,
and other fields.  (A complete list of members is attached.)  

     The Advisory Council's mission is to promote greater awareness
of the problem of violence against women, and work to devise
solutions.  Members of the Advisory Council were selected based on
their background and interest in the issue of violence against
women, particularly domestic violence and sexual assault.  In
addition, the membership reflects a balance of professional
perspective and geography. 

     The Advisory Council will work to coordinate among professions
by building bridges between law enforcement and health care
agencies, between the public and private sectors, and among federal
and state and local governments, to create a seamless system that
addresses the diverse needs of women and families in crisis.  As
opinion leaders in their respective communities, Advisory Council
members will also work to change societal perceptions and in
spreading the message that violence against women is unacceptable 
and detrimental to our entire society.  

     Both Reno and Shalala emphasized the importance of bringing
together a wide range of professions to encourage multi-faceted
solutions to fighting domestic violence and sexual assaults.  "The
solutions will not be found by government alone," Reno said. 

     The Violence Against Women Act was signed into law in
September, 1994, by President Clinton as part of the 1994 Crime
Control Act.  It combines tough law enforcement provisions with new
federal funding for states and communities to assist victims of
domestic abuse and sexual assault.  

     Both Reno and Shalala criticized the efforts to cut funding. 
"The House Subcommittee cuts mean fewer shelters, fewer police, and
fewer prosecutors working to protect women from domestic violence
and sexual assaults," Attorney General Reno stated.  "This is not
a productive debate and goes back on the promise that a bi-partisan
majority  of Congress made to beleaguered women and families when
they passed the Act last year."

     "The Advisory Council will bring to national attention
successful, multi-faceted solutions fighting domestic violence and
sexual assault," Secretary Shalala said.  "It will help the
Attorney General and me devise and implement real solutions to the
problem of violence against women."

     "The Advisory Council is about results, not reports," the
Attorney General noted.  "It was not created to issue yet another
government study.  Rather, the members will help us devise and
implement real solutions to reduce the problem of violence against
women."

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