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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2007
CONTACT:
Brenda Pera
717-787-6538
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Senator Orie Leads Rally to Promote Awareness of Domestic Violence

Senator Jane Orie (R-40th) today led a Domestic Violence Awareness Rally at the state Capitol to focus public awareness on an issue that she said has become “a life-threatening crime of epidemic proportions.”

Domestic violence is the single greatest cause of injury to women.  Every 15 seconds a woman in this country is the victim of abuse.  Studies report a range of between two and four million women being abused annually, and about one in four women are likely to be abused by a partner in their lifetime.

“The crime of domestic violence is more prevalent and more under-reported than many people realize,” said Orie.  “We cannot sit by silently, because this crime can touch every family at any time.  It knows no cultural bounds, no social bounds, and no age limits.  And we must stop at nothing to stop those who commit crimes of violence.”

Orie was joined by the Lt. Governor, legislators, health care professionals, law enforcement officials and domestic violence organizations across the state to mark October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.

Orie sponsored Senate Resolution 196 recognizing the month of October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.”

The Senator has been a leader in state efforts to prevent domestic abuse and provide more protections to victims.  She stressed that in order to provide help to these many victims, Pennsylvania first needs to focus greater public awareness – and to identify those who are suffering from abuse – since many of them are too afraid to come forward on their own. 

She noted that approximately 20 percent of all emergency room visits by women are the result of domestic violence and 75 percent of these women will have additional injuries requiring treatment within the year.