At least 1 out of every 3 women in the world will be beaten, raped or abused in a violent manner in her lifetime.

In countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, women are victims of one of the most appalling assaults the world has witnessed. Rape and brutal sexual assaults have become tools of war -- spreading HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, disfiguring women and destroying families. The violence is not only traumatizing women, but their children, who often witness the attacks or who are attacked themselves.

We cannot continue to stand by while women are violated because other nations accept violence as a cultural custom or tradition.

Violence against women is a human rights issue. Tell your representative to introduce and support the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) in the 112th United States Congress.

I am writing to urge you to make ending violent acts against women a priority by proposing and supporting legislation to support the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) in the 112th United States Congress.

As a country, we cannot keep standing by while women are violated because other nations accept violence as a cultural custom or tradition. "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights" according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Women across the globe have the right to live their lives free from the fear of being beaten, raped, or otherwise abused. But right now, violence is a reality for one out of three women worldwide.

You can make a difference and lessen those numbers by introducing and passing legislation such as I-VAWA. I-VAWA will not only provide aid to emergency and humanitarian relief programs, but also focus on prevention programs to change attitudes about violence against women. Violence not only abuses the victim but is the cause of destruction and perpetuates poverty across the globe.

[Your Comments Here]

I urge you to help end the devastation that millions of women have to face each day. Please support I-VAWA.

Sincerely,
[Your name here]