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1994.04.22:  Shalala and Members of Congress Tour "House of Ruth"
and Call for Enactment of Crime Bill

Contact:  HHS Press Office                  (202) 6900-6343
Friday, April 22, 1994

  SHALALA AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TOUR "HOUSE
  OF RUTH" AND CALL FOR ENACTMENT OF CRIME BILL

     HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala joined several members of 
Congress today in touring a shelter for battered women and calling 
for enactment of the crime bill, which includes substantial new 
resources for preventing domestic violence and other violence 
against women. 

     "The crime bill would authorize significant new funds to assist 
police and prosecutors in handling cases of violence against women, 
and in supporting women's shelters and community prevention 
programs," Shalala said.  "It represents a tremendous advance, and 
we must make sure it becomes law." 

     Shalala and the members of Congress toured a facility operated 
by the House of Ruth, providing emergency shelter to women and 
children who face the danger of violence in their homes.  The 
Congressional members included Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Connie 
Morella (Md.), Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), Lucille Roybal-Allard (Calif.) 
and Jane Harman (Calif.). 

     "Shelters of this kind perform a vital mission for women and 
children at a time when they need help the most," Shalala said. 

     The crime bill, passed by the Senate Nov. 4, 1993, incorporates 
provisions of the Violence Against Women Act.  It includes 
authorization for a total of $1.8 billion for new and expanded 
programs to protect women against violence, including new HHS funds 
for prevention of domestic violence.  This would include 
authorization of about $140 million per year in additional funding 
for shelter and other support services for victims of domestic 
abuse. 

     The crime bill which was passed by the House of Representatives 
on Thursday also incorporates a House version of the Violence 
Against Women Act. 

     HHS currently provides assistance to shelters through the $28 
million Family Violence Prevention and Services program, overseen by 
the Administration for Children and Families.  New help for families 
in crisis, including prevention of domestic abuse, also begins this 
year under the Family Preservation and Support Act.   

     In addition, HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
has launched new efforts to investigate and reduce violence against 
women. 

[NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS:  HHS Factsheets are 
available on "Violence Against Women" and provisions 
in the crime bill.] 
              
                                    Attachment

April 22, 1994 

            THE CRIME BILL AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 

     The crime bill, which passed the Senate last November and 
     the House of Representatives Thursday, includes significant 
     improvements toward protecting women against domestic 
     violence.  In both chambers, a proposed Violence Against 
     Women Act has been folded into the larger crime legislation.  
      
     The Senate-passed bill authorizes $1.8 billion over five 
     years to aid police, prosecutors, women's shelters and 
     community prevention programs.  The majority of the funding 
     would be directed to states and localities in grants for law 
     enforcement and prosecution.  In addition, HHS would have 
     jurisdiction over about $527 million of the total five-year 
     authorized amount, especially for prevention activities. 

     HHS programs authorized under the Senate bill include: 

(1)  Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Assaults 
Against Women -- Provides funding for rape prevention and 
education programs conducted by rape crisis centers or similar 
non-profit entities.  Twenty-six percent of the funds must be 
used for programs targeted for junior high and high school 
students. 

(2)  Education and Prevention Grants to Reduce Sexual Abuse of 
Female Runaway, Homeless and Street Youth -- Authorizes the 
Secretary to make grants to non-profit organizations for 
treatment, counseling and information and referral for female 
runaway, homeless, and street youth who have been subjected to or 
are at risk of being subjected to sexual abuse. 

(3)  National Domestic Violence Hotline -- Authorizes the 
Secretary to award a grant to a non-profit organization to 
operate a national hotline to provide information and assistance 
to victims of domestic violence.  

(4)  Domestic Violence and Family Support Grant Program -- 
Discretionary and formula grants to support projects and programs 
relating to domestic violence, including training of law 
enforcement officers, victims services programs, education and 
prevention programs, and shelters. 

(5)  Authorization of Additional Funds for the Family Violence 
Prevention and Services Act --  Provides for additional funding 
for shelters and other victims' services, counseling and 
prevention. 

(6)  Study of the Number and Cost of Injuries Resulting from 
Domestic Violence -- The Secretary through CDC shall conduct a 
study to project the national cost of injuries resulting from 
domestic violence and recommend strategies for reducing the 
incidence and cost of such injuries. 

(7)  Educating Youth About Domestic Violence -- Funds the 
selection, implementation and evaluation of 4 model programs for 
educating young people about domestic violence and violence among 
intimate partners.  Responsibility for carrying out this section 
is delegated to the Secretary of Education.

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