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Washington, DC -- Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) and Congressman David Joyce (R-OH) introduced the bipartisan National Domestic Violence Prevention Action Plan Act, which would develop a national strategy for domestic violence prevention. While many programs exist at all levels of government to provide shelter and support for victims of domestic violence, there is currently no comprehensive national effort to equip institutions and individuals with the tools to better prevent domestic violence before it occurs.

“As a former prosecutor and advocate for abused and neglected kids, I’ve seen firsthand the scars that domestic violence leaves on survivors and their families. It is heartbreaking to hear of the long-lasting impacts to physical and mental health that victims face, especially when we know there are proven methods to prevent domestic violence which lack the attention and investment they deserve,” said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. “The best way we can address the domestic violence crisis is by reducing the likelihood of violence through prevention programs such as healthy relationship education and bystander empowerment. That is exactly what my bipartisan National Domestic Violence Prevention Action Plan Act aims to do by developing a strategy for expanding, coordinating, and evaluating prevention efforts across the country.”

“On average, 20 Americans experience physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and/or psychological abuse from their intimate partner every minute of every day,” said Congressman Dave Joyce. “During my 25 years as a prosecutor, I witnessed first-hand how these crimes impact the physical, mental, and economic wellbeing of survivors and their loved ones. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan bill alongside Congresswoman Wexton to help the United States take a more proactive approach to preventing domestic violence. As a co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, I will continue to do everything in my power to eradicate the threat posed by domestic violence and support survivors.”

The bill includes:

• Developing a whole-of-government, goal-oriented, community-informed, and forward looking National Domestic Violence Prevention Action Plan to:
  • Set objectives for expanding, intensifying, and coordinating prevention efforts among all levels of government and other relevant stakeholders;
  • Evaluate prevalence and severity of domestic violence in the U.S. as well as the effectiveness of prevention efforts;
  • Identify challenges to meeting prevention objectives;
  • Recommend any additional federal funding needed to achieve prevention objectives;
• Authorizing a Steering Committee to create and facilitate the implementation of the Action Plan, made up of officials from various federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Education, and Interior; and
• Launching a media campaign to engage the public on key prevention issues such as bystander empowerment, teaching healthy and safe relationship skills, fostering protective environments, and combating stigmas.

The legislation would authorize an appropriation of $25 million per year through Fiscal Year 2025 to the Department of Health and Human Services to support the execution of this Action Plan.

Approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men have reported experiencing physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Many victims of domestic violence may experience a range of lasting effects as a result of their abuse -- including mental health challenges like anxiety and depression, greater risk for self-medication with drugs or alcohol, and long-term physical health issues. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that the lifetime cost of intimate partner violence -- accounting for imparied health, lost productivity, and criminal justice costs -- was $103,767 per female victim and $23,414 per male victim. Additionally, this type of violence often impacts an entire family; an estimated 3.3 to 10 million American children are exposed to violence against their mothers or other female caretakers, which can lead to trauma that follows them into adulthood.

Congresswoman Wexton has worked on domestic violence issues throughout her career. As a prosecutor and advocate for abused and neglected children, Wexton witnessed firsthand the impacts of domestic violence on families. Wexton has also been a leader in Congress for securing additional resources to aid victims of domestic violence, including successfully advocating for the passage of the VOCA Fix Act, which restored critical funding to victim services agencies, and introducing bipartisan legislation to provide guidance and resources for law enforcement agencies responding to increased levels of domestic violence during the COVID pandemic.

In addition to Wexton and Joyce, the legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Alma S. Adams (D-NC), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Al Green (D-TX), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), and Juan Vargas (D-CA).

The full text of the National Domestic Violence Prevention Action Plan Act can be found here.

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