Blair Hull on Domestic Violence

• I strongly oppose domestic violence.  This is a serious issue, and I understand the traumatic effects domestic violence has on its victims.
• I would support programs that would fully fund the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
•  
• Specifically, I would support fully funding VAWA programs in the Commerce Justice State Appropriations bill and domestic violence programs in other appropriations bills.
• I would support legislation in the Senate that would assist victims of domestic violence obtain the housing and other resources they need to remove themselves from abusive situations.
  • I would support legislation like S. 826, Senator Leahy’s bill, that would provide housing grants for victims of domestic violence.
• I would support employment programs that would positively help victims of domestic violence and their children
  • Specifically, I would support legislation like Senator Patty Murray’s bill, S. 1801 –  the Security and Financial Empowerment Act, which would, among other things, require states to give unemployment benefits to victims who are terminated from their jobs because of domestic abuse. 
  • The bill would also allow victims to take time off work for attending court hearings, obtaining counsel or other issues related to domestic violence.
• I would strengthen sexual harassment and hate crimes legislation to address the concerns of women
• I would support a bill like Senator Daschle’s legislation, S. 16 – the Equal Rights and Equal Dignity for Americans Act of 2003, which would allow the Attorney General to investigate hate crimes, including crimes based on gender.