Edwards Hosts Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault Roundtable

Press Release

Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-04) today hosted a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Roundtable discussion with representatives from federal and local government, the National Football League, higher education, nonprofits, the faith community, and civic and health organizations. Attendees took part in a comprehensive discussion on domestic violence and sexual assault, sharing their experiences, knowledge, resources, and best practices to better coordinate efforts at the local, state, and federal levels.

"With over thirty years of experience working on issues of domestic violence, it was important to bring together stakeholders from across the spectrum to see how our efforts can be strengthened and broadened to fight this epidemic," Rep. Edwards said. "Domestic violence and sexual assault are multi-faceted issues that are impacting communities in Maryland and across the country regardless of age, religion, ethnicity, immigration status, race, income level, or education. Despite years of progress, a great deal of work remains to be done because of the complexity of these issues.

"Over the course of the conversation, I heard several themes emerge: the importance of teaching healthy relationships beginning at an early age, increasing awareness by helping the public recognize what abuse looks like, tailoring types of services and how to access them to the specific needs of victims, and ensuring that funding is available to provide the resources necessary to meet the need in communities. I am grateful to everyone who participated in making today's event so comprehensive and informative. I look forward to continuing to work with these allies in the hope that one day we will end the threat of domestic violence and sexual assault once and for all."

Congresswoman Edwards has over three decades of experience working on issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. She began crisis intervention in college and went on to be the co-founder and executive director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and later played an instrumental role in helping pass the Violence Against Women Act in 1994.

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