Every 9 seconds a woman is physically abused by someone who she thinks loves her! What is this anger in men to abuse women??? The number one heath problem for women in the United States is Domestic Violence. 60% of deaths of women are due to domestic violence. It is the #1 cause of birth defects in pregnant women. 1/3 of women that you see in emergency rooms are there because they have been physically abused. October is National Domestic Violence awareness month. Four million women in the US are victims of domestic violence each year. Four thousand die. 70% of all police calls are domestic violence related. They are the most dangerous calls for police.

1. Up until the Women’s Movement, in the 60’s and 70’s, domestic violence was considered a "family matter" because women were still considered to be a man’s PROPERTY. There were no laws to stop a man from beating up his girlfriend or wife. It was probably her fault that she irritated him.

2. In the late 70’s six states still did not have laws against spousal abuse.

3. Late 80’s, Domestic Violence legislation was introduced in Congress for the THIRD time. It was withdrawn because they didn’t want to interfere in family matters. Give that responsibility to the states and cities. Also certain groups said the legislation was an attack on motherhood and Christian values by advocating divorce.

4. In 1981, Reagan closed the Office of Domestic Violence. The Family Protection Act is introduced into Congress to :
1. Eliminate federal laws supporting equal education.
2. Forbid "intermingling" of the sexes in any sport or other school-related activities.
3. Require marriage and motherhood be taught as the proper career for girls.
4. Deny federal funding to any school using textbooks portraying women in nontraditional roles.
5. Repeal all federal laws protecting battered wives from their husbands.
6. Ban federally funded legal aid for any woman seeking abortion counseling or divorce.
It is narrowly defeated!

5. In 1983, federal funding for Domestic Violence shelters is attached to the Child Abuse and Prevention Treatment Act. Reagan appropriates 6 million. (1/4th of the original request) when campaigning for a 2nd term.

6. In 1984, a study in Minneapolis concluded that arresting Domestic Violence men may reduce recidivism. US Attorney General’s office Task Force examined the severity of DV. They concluded:
1. The need for special units.
2. The victim did not have to sign a formal complaint.
3. The victim did not have to testify at preliminary hearings.
4. The issue of protective orders.
Florida is the first state to enact legislation and consideration of Domestic Violence in custody cases. Federal funding for victims is enacted through Family Violence and Protection and S Act of 1984.

7. In 1985, Surgeon C. Everett Koop named Domestic Violence a "public health menace that police alone cannot cope with." The Wall Street Journal published a story of John and Charlotte Fedders, 19 years of abuse. John had a top position in Reagan’s administration. He said he only beat her 7 times. Police departments were made civil liability for failing to respond to Tracy Thurman’s calls for help. She was denied = protection under the law. Her ex permanently disfigured and partially paralyzed her when he stabbed, beat, and jumped on her breaking her neck in the presence of police who did nothing.

8. In 1987, Reagan administration proposed to end the Family Violence and Prevention and Services Act of 1984.

9. In the 90’s, Domestic Violence came to be viewed as a serious crime instead of a "family matter". The Violence Against Women act was introduced in Congress but did not pass. The American Medical Association distributes packets on "America’s Deadly Secret."

10. In 1992, the Roman Catholic Church gave it’s first official statement denouncing spousal abuse saying "the Bible didn’t tell women to submit to abusive husbands." Doctors are told to report domestic violence.

11. By 1993, marital rape was a crime in all 50 states, mostly due to complaints from Doctors. But 31 states still allowed an exemption from prosecution if no physical force was used.

12. In 1994, 8 of the 16 biggest insurers rated Domestic Violence victims as a bad risk and routinely denied them health benefits or policies. State Farm searched out histories of domestic violence to deny coverage which caused an uproar. Nicole Simpson is murdered by her husband. A week later, domestic hotline phone calls increased by 80%. The Violence Against Women Act is passed only 12 years ago.

13. In 1995, the Violence Against Women Office opens. Clinton increases funding from Reagan’s $6 million to $800 million over 6 years and gave states $26 million to open rape crisis centers, staff rape crisis centers, domestic violence hotlines, etc.

14. In 2006, what is this internal rage men have against women? Is it due to our cultural values that teaches boys to hold in their emotions, weaknesses, fear and stress? Is it because boys are not taught how to value girls in our society in films, music, music videos, video games, porn, sex magazines, billboards, radio, TV, and the list goes on.