New White House Position Focused on Violence Against Women

In Oregon, women are 10 times more likely to experience violence by an intimate partner than to develop breast cancer.  The statistics throughout the country are not much better.  Some statistics estimate that nationally, one in four women will become the victim of domestic violence.  Violence against women is a serious criminal justice and public health issue.  And on June 26, 2009, President Obama created a new position, White House Adviser on Violence Against Women, and appointed long-time advocate Lynn Rosenthal to fill this important new post to help the nation better prevent and respond to violence against women.

Lynn Rosenthal is an accomplished advocate for survivors of domestic violence.  She operated a shelter for domestic violence survivors, was executive director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and was director of the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Vice President Biden, who has long advocated on behalf of survivors of domestic and sexual violence, applauded Ms. Rosenthal by stating:

"Lynn is passionate about these issues and knows them backward and forward. And as a former director of a shelter, she's also seen the human face of this tragic problem. She will be a leader in this White House in stopping the violence and sexual assault of women and will be an integral part of this administration."

Read an editorial about Lynn Rosenthal's appointment from The New York Times.