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News Release

HHS SECRETARY AND ATTORNEY GENERAL ADDRESS
NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
HHS, Justice Affirm Commitment to Preventing Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

The National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women (NACVAW) will meet today and tomorrow to discuss efforts aimed at preventing and addressing all forms of family violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Speaking before the committee, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson and Attorney General John Ashcroft and will discuss the Administration's initiatives to end violence against women, especially efforts to target sexual assault. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

"Violence against women is a silent epidemic -- one which too many are hesitant to discuss," Secretary Thompson said. "Through the committee, our partnership with the Justice Department, and HHS programs, we're making sure that victims of violence against women can find the support and healing they need to rebuild their lives. Together, we can all make a profound difference in the lives of women and families who would otherwise suffer in silence -- unheard, unprotected and without hope. Violence against women is a social ill we can -- and must -- stop."

Attorney General Ashcroft added: "The Justice Department and our partners at the Department of Health and Human Services have made it possible for tens of thousands of women to renew their hope, reclaim their dignity, and change their lives. Cities across the nation have used over a billion dollars in funding to strengthen their abilities to respond to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking."

The committee's members were appointed in October 2002 by Secretary Thompson and Attorney General Ashcroft and have been charged with identifying strategies to prevent and address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. Over the course of the two-day meeting, the committee will discuss their progress on this directive. The committee will also discuss the role of clergy, how men can help end domestic violence and promising approaches to improve services.

Thursday afternoon, Secretary Thompson will discuss HHS initiatives to combat different types of violence against women. The efforts include The National Sexual Violence Resource Center, which provides comprehensive information on sexual violence, policy and technical assistance. In addition, the Secretary will cite HHS' recent satellite broadcast, "Sexual Violence and Prevention: Building Leadership and Commitment to Underserved Communities," which was downloaded at 140 sites and has helped expand the dialogue in communities nationwide.

The Attorney General will speak on Friday afternoon about the President's DNA initiative, Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology. The Justice Department's National Institute of Justice estimates that more than 350,000 rape and homicide cases are awaiting DNA testing. The DNA evidence from these unanalyzed samples could hold the key to solving numerous rape and sexual assault cases. The President's initiative will provide more than $1 billion over the next five years. Moreover, the initiative will enhance the use of DNA evidence across the criminal justice system. DNA evidence often results in prompt verdicts and often leads to guilty pleas, which can spare fragile sexual assault victims the trauma of a court trial.

Additional information about the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women is available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo/nac/naccharge7.htm.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last Revised: April 24, 2003