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REMARKS BY:	DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PLACE:		Domestic Violence Event, White House, Washington, D.C.
DATE:		February 26, 1999

Domestic Violence Hotline

Mr. Vice-President, Attorney General Reno, distinguished guests. We're here today because we have promises to keep. A promise that battered women will have safe havens to heal and safe passages to a better life. A promise that every home will be a safe home. And a promise that no woman-like Jane-will ever have to endure the terror and tears of domestic violence in silence.

I met Jane when I was in Austin, Texas-the home of our National Domestic Violence Hotline. For years, Jane's husband attacked her body and assaulted her spirit. Finally, the violence so escalated, she fled her home in the middle of the night-afraid for her life. Jane knew that she could no longer-in the words of another domestic violence survivor- "Sorrow, grieve and suffer in silence." So she called out for help-and the Domestic Violence Hotline was there to answer.

Since its inauguration exactly three years ago this month, almost 300,000 individuals have reached out to the Hotline for help, advice or information. I heard some of those calls when I toured the Hotline's National Headquarters.

When we started the Hotline in 1996, we knew that when the phones started ringing, we had to be ready with more than statements of support-we needed to be ready with real support systems for abused women who wanted to leave their homes, and for those who wanted to stay. And we knew we had to create a seamless system of prevention and protection. A system that follows a woman and her children from incident to safety...a system that leaves no gaps large enough for anyone to fall through...and a system that can help heal shattered bones, shattered lives and shattered dreams.

That's exactly what this Administration has fought to build over the past six years. Under our landmark Violence Against Women Act, for the first time the federal government adopted a comprehensive approach to fighting domestic abuse. We established the Advisory Council on Violence against Women-which the Attorney General and I co-chair. The Council consists of experts from law enforcement, business, health care, social services, and the media who are working together to increase awareness and to prevent domestic violence. We've quadrupled funding for shelters-and for critical services that abused women and their children need, regardless of whether or not they leave home. We're providing grants to states for rape prevention and education programs, and to communities to build new programs aimed at preventing domestic violence. We've formed innovative partnerships with companies like Liz Claiborne and Bell Atlantic Mobile to help confront domestic violence in the workplace. And we're working with health care and substance abuse professionals to help them identify signs of domestic abuse.

These are great accomplishments-accomplishments that speak volumes about this Administration's commitment to end domestic violence. But it certainly isn't time to rest on our laurels. To continue our work, the President has requested over 218 million dollars in the Fiscal Year 2000 HHS Budget for programs to prevent violence against women. These funds will help expand our network of battered women's shelters; support innovative prevention and service activities; enhance our ability to reach into underserved communities; strengthen the science base; change social norms; and work with our partners in business and education to educate children and youth about domestic violence.

But, of course, ending domestic violence isn't a challenge that can be met by government alone. We all must work together to end this tragedy-because the days of domestic violence just being a "family matter" are over. It's a community matter; it's a criminal justice matter. And it matters to our nation. When it comes to domestic abuse, we must raise the awareness-and the consciousness-of our country. We must ensure that no call for help ever goes unnoticed, unheard or unanswered. And we must keep our promise that no woman-like Jane-will ever have to suffer the pain of domestic violence in silence.

One person who has tirelessly worked to help keep that promise is our outstanding Attorney General, and my good friend, Janet Reno. Since day one, she's brought her commitment and compassion, her talents and tenacity to the fight against domestic violence. And it's now my pleasure to introduce the Attorney General.

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