AUGUST 3, 2000
Remarks of Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown
The issue of domestic violence is among the most important and serious issues that we in the justice system -- indeed, that we in society -- face today. There are at least a half million -- and by some estimates as many as four million -- violent victimizations each year of women across this country at the hands of partners and spouses.It is estimated that as many as 25% of all women visiting City hospital emergency rooms are there as the result of violence in the home.
Here in Queens alone we see as many as 12,000 complaints of domestic violence every year -- complaints that result in approximately 5,000 arrests.
But apart from their sheer number, domestic violence cases by their very nature demand special attention. Domestic violence prosecutions are unlike other prosecutions because they pose complex emotional and practical issues -- ofttimes involving young children who witness family violence and abuse -- in addition to the legal issues that are present in other cases.
In a typical robbery or burglary case, for example, the victim rarely knows her assailant. They do not have children in common or live under the same roof. The victim never has to see the defendant again after the crime -- except perhaps at the trial -- whereas the battered spouse is ofttimes forced by practical considerations to go home with her assailant.
Many women are afraid of retaliation. Many fear breaking up their families or losing their financial support or their homes. Many are afraid to proceed simply because they are unfamiliar with or intimidated by court procedures and the legal system.
As a result many victims of domestic violence become reluctant to follow through on complaints in court and the cases must be dismissed. And so, regrettably, the violence and the abuse continues.
We here in Queens -- like in most modern prosecutors’ offices -- have established within our office a special unit dedicated solely to the handling of domestic violence cases. As a result, we are able to give special attention to our domestic violence prosecutions, to enhance them, to better train our assistants, to provide early outreach and provide specialized victim support services.
But we need to do more -- and, toward that end, we are here today to urge support for legislation introduced by Congresswoman Lowey to address the needs of victims of domestic violence not just in criminal proceedings, but in civil proceedings as well.
Among the many concerns, for example, of a battered woman in deciding whether to leave a violent home is whether she will be able to support herself and her children, whether she will have a safe place in which live and whether she can retain custody of her children.
She ofttimes faces many complicated legal issues -- issues that can overwhelm her and make it difficult -- if not impossible -- for her to move forward. She is very much in need of the competent and affordable legal representation that this legislation will provide.
Congresswomen Lowey and Maloney are here today to talk about that legislation and the need to re-authorize the Violence Against Women Act funding which supports the work of offices such as mine in the domestic violence area. I’m delighted to join with them. They have been extraordinarily supportive of our work -- not just in the domestic violence area but in assisting us in all of our efforts to lower the level of violence in this City and to improve the quality of life of its residents.
I’m grateful for their continued support -- and very much in their debt.