National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
June 7, 2003
Ninety-two percent of American women rank domestic and sexual violence as one of their top priorities. One out of every three women experiences at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood, according to a 1996 study by the American Psychological Association. The full extent of such victimization is not known, however, it is estimated that only one in seven domestic assaults come to the attention of the police. So perhaps it is not surprising that the overwhelming majority of women polled in a new survey by the Center for the Advancement of Women indicated that domestic violence and sexual assault are their main concerns. The survey, entitled “Progress and Perils: New Agenda for Women,” is based on two national telephone polls of 3,329 women aged 18 and older.
Juley Fulcher, Public Policy Director for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), is not surprised that domestic violence is emerging as such an important issue for women today. “Domestic violence is more prevalent than people realize and this concern needs to be recognized on a national level. Politicians should take note, seeing that at least 50% of the electorate deeply cares about this issue.” Juley Fulcher works in NCADV’s Public Policy office in Washington D.C educating the general public about the plight of domestic violence in America, as well as testifying before Congress about legislation and appropriations on behalf of victims around the country. One of NCADV’s recent concerns has been advocating for the full funding of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and its reauthorization in 2004, which has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of battered women and their children.
With National Domestic Violence Awareness month in October and the upcoming presidential primaries, the NCADV hopes that the results of this poll are an indication of the increased awareness and involvement of women and men in the movement to eradicate domestic violence.
NCADV is a nationwide network of approximately 2,000 domestic violence shelters, programs, and individual members working on behalf of battered women and their children. It serves as a national information and referral center for the general public, media, battered women and their children, allied and member agencies, Congress and the Administration, as well as a driving force to impact public policy and legislation for battered women and their children.
Source: www.NCADV.org
