Lewis Chairs Hearing On Domestic Violence

Portions of a release from the office of Senator Jason Lewis:

The Joint Committee on Public Health, on which Senator Jason Lewis serves as Senate co-Chair, and the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators co-hosted an informational hearing at the State House on the topic of domestic violence as a public health issue. The purpose of the hearing was to examine the prevalence of domestic violence in the Commonwealth, its impact on the health of Massachusetts residents, current efforts addressing the issue, and recommendations for future actions.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in July 2017 that 55 percent of female homicides in the U.S. from 2003 to 2014 were related to intimate partner violence and in Massachusetts, using 2010-2012 data, the CDC estimated that over one in four women and one in 10 men have experienced victimization by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Jane Doe Inc., Massachusetts’ statewide coalition against sexual and domestic violence, reported that between 2003 and 2012, 177 people in the Commonwealth were killed by their intimate partner, with 87 percent being female; additionally, 25 children of those affected by domestic violence also lost their lives during this period.

“The hearing emphasized the importance of addressing domestic violence through a public health lens,” said Senator Jason Lewis. “We heard more evidence of how critical it is to do everything possible to prevent this type of violence from occurring in our communities.”

Seventeen experts testified at the hearing, representing a range of backgrounds including those personally affected by domestic violence, state and county officials, researchers, prevention and response experts, advocates, and service providers serving a variety of different constituencies. In April 2015, Governor Charlie Baker signed Executive Order 563 elevating the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and appointing Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito as Chair. Lieutenant Governor Polito was joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders to testify at the hearing.

Racial and ethnic minorities and low-income individuals are disproportionately affected by domestic violence. The U.S. Department of Justice reported that between 2003 and 2012, non-Hispanic Blacks and non-Hispanic multiracial individuals had higher rates of intimate partner violence (4.7 and 16.5 per 1,000 people, respectively) than non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic individuals of other races (3.9, 2.8, and 2.3 per 1,000 people, respectively). In addition, lack of financial resources can prevent victims from leaving abusive relationships, which may inordinately burden low-income individuals.

On Oct. 2^nd, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate adopted a joint resolution, which was introduced by Chairs Hogan and Lewis and co-signed by 133 other representatives and senators, recognizing October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in the Commonwealth and affirming domestic violence as a threat to public health.

In addition to the oral testimony delivered during the informational hearing, the Joint Committee on Public Health is accepting all written testimony on this subject; testimony can be sent to Madison.Louis@mahouse.gov.