One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Each year, that abuse costs the United States health-care system an estimated $8.3 billion.

In an attempt to put an end to intimate partner abuse, thus reducing national health-care spending, Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) has introduced the Violence Against Women Health Initiative Act (HR 1578). If passed by Congress, the bill will fund training for health care providers in identifying and preventing domestic violence.

Rep. Louise Slaughter states:

Domestic and sexual violence is all too common in the United States. This legislation is specifically designed to help health-care providers recognize victims of violence and take action to prevent these women from being harmed again.

The health care system is uniquely positioned to take a leading role in fighting and responding to intimate partner violence. By training our future doctors, nurses and other health care professionals to recognize and help us prevent future domestic attacks, we will be able to save some of the $8.3 billion domestic violence costs our health care system each year. Most importantly we can save women from repeated attacks.

Violence against women affects us all. Please sign this petition and encourage your Representatives to pass HR 1578 in order to help eradicate violence against women and girls.