April, 2010
Women and Domestic Violence
Domestic violence against women is a serious problem in America and one that is getting a great deal of attention, both at the federal and state levels. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a landmark piece of legislation, was passed in 1993, and reauthorized in 2000 and 2005. It is scheduled for reauthorization again in 2010. Since passage o VAWA, women who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking have been able to access services, and state and national laws are changing. In addition, rates of violence and reporting are changing, for the better.
States have passed more than 660 laws to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The National Domestic Violence Hotline has answered more than 2 million calls since 1996. Businesses have joined the national fight against violence, including model programs at Aetna, Altria, Liz Claiborne, Polaroid, The Body Shop, and DuPont, which have created Employee Assistance Programs that help victims of domestic violence.
Tipping the Scales: A Recipe for Trouble
Many of us are concerned when our clothing starts to fit a bit too snugly, or we catch an unflattering glimpse of ourselves in the mirror. With a little more discipline at the table and getting out and exercising more, we’re usually able to get back into our comfort zone. For millions of Americans today who are obese and overweight, however, tipping the scales is more than just a little disconcerting. It’s a recipe for some serious trouble.
Disturbing Statistics
First, let’s look at the facts. According to a data brief from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), more than one-third of adults in the U.S. (34 percent), over 72 million people, were obese in 2005-2006. This compares with 32.7 percent who classified as overweight. Of the obese, just under 6 percent were “extremely” obese.
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