Celebrating a Quarter Century of the National Domestic Violence Hotline & Over 6 Million Served
Contact: Kate Stotesbery
Washington, D.C. – Ahead of the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month on October 1st, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, spoke at the National Domestic Violence Hotline 25th Anniversary celebration in Washington, alongside Senator Bob Casey, Hotline CEO Katie Ray-Jones, and virtual remarks from President Joe Biden. After the anniversary celebration was delayed for a year due to the pandemic, this joyful reunion honored the many Hotline workers and volunteers in Austin and nationwide for their dedicated service and marked over six million contacts connected with life-saving and life-changing support.
“The Hotline—really the Hopeline—is always there to answer the call, and has done so with strength and compassion for more than 25 years,” said Congressman Doggett. “Living in a world free of violence begins with living in a home free of violence. It takes courage to untangle oneself, and often children, from an abusive situation. This journey often begins with a phone call to the National Domestic Violence Hotline—who meet them in turn with help and safety.”
Rep. Doggett and Katie Ray-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline (@ndvh), at the anniversary celebration in September.
“I remember the excitement working with the Texas Council on Family Violence in 1995, when we first learned that Austin had been chosen to house the Domestic Violence Hotline,” he continued. “Similarly, when after 10 years, then-Senator Joe Biden, who led the effort to secure passage of VAWA, joined me in Austin at the Hotline to meet with the team and celebrate the success.” Austinite Board of Directors members Fayruz Benyousef and Joy Lopez joined the celebration.
Rep. Doggett is also leading an effort to help establish a new innovative pilot project at the Hotline to help stop cycles of violence by connecting all who want to end abusive behaviors with counseling and other resources. He secured $1 million in the House Appropriations package for FY 2023 to begin this project and is working to see those funds approved in the final government funding bill later this year.
President Biden delivered remarks as well to the Hotline audience, reminiscing on his visit to the Headquarters at that 10-year anniversary, and underscoring the importance of eradicating domestic violence and supporting survivors. Video here and below:
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