Murkowski, Shaheen Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Study the Harmful Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Maternal Health

Murkowski, Shaheen Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Study the Harmful Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Maternal Health

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) are leading the introduction of bipartisan and bicameral legislation to protect the health and well-being of pregnant women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) by requiring the study of the harmful effects of IPV on maternal health and investing in innovative programs to prevent IPV and improve maternal and child health outcomes for survivors.

"Improving maternal health outcomes must be a national priority, and that includes confronting the role intimate partner violence can play during pregnancy. We need strong, evidence-based research to fully understand this connection and to give communities the tools to keep mothers safe," Senator Murkowski said. "This legislation provides resources to organizations at all levels to study this connection and implement effective strategies to protect moms and babies during one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives."

"It's unacceptable that research linking maternal and child health outcomes to the physical and mental trauma of intimate partner violence is still lacking despite the alarming prevalence of sexual assault among pregnant women and the danger posed to mom and baby alike," said Senator Shaheen. "I'm so glad that Senator Murkowski has joined me in this important bipartisan effort to help us better understand the impacts of intimate partner violence on pregnant women so that we can better support survivors and protect the health and the safety of their children."

Sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner?continues to be a pervasive challenge?with?1 in 3 women having experienced sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.?Approximately 324,000 pregnant persons?experience IPV every year and nearly half?of female IPV?survivors experience some sort of physical injury. IPV has been linked to significant, long-term consequences on the health of expectant mothers and their children. The Protect Moms from Domestic Violence Act would fill a critical research gap by promoting studies on the relationship between IPV, maternal mortality and health outcomes and also award grants to programs that support survivors and address structural barriers to health equity.

A copy of the bill text can be found HERE.

A companion bill is being led in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08). The Protect Moms from Domestic Violence Act is endorsed by Futures Without Violence, National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma and Mental Health, American Medical Women's Association, Jewish Women International, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, Legal Momentum, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center.