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WASHINGTON, July 19 (AFP) - Hollywood star Salma Hayek appealed to the US Senate Tuesday, speaking out for victims of domestic violence and calling for legislators to renew and strengthen a key law targetting such abuse.
The star of hit films "Frida" and "Desparado" told senators that her research for movie parts had shown her how devastating domestic violence can be to women.
"Not long ago, I had to do some research for a part ... I talked to 13 women who were in jail for life. I was very surprised to see how crucial the background in domestic violence was for every one of them," Hayek said.
"I was completely distracted from my research, it was so moving and compelling," the actress said.
"I believe that America very strongly strives to be a nation of security, safety, but how can we feel safe if such a high percentage of American families don't feel safe in their own homes?" Hayek asked.
The US Senate has until the end of the year to renew a 1994 law against domestic violence. Since the law came into effect, statistics show a sharp decline in incidences of domestic violence.
There were 691,710 episodes of domestic violence recorded in 2001, or five incidents per thousand people, down from 9.8 incidents per thousand in 1993.
Domestic murder and suicide rates have also dropped, from 1,600 women killed by their spouse or partner in 1976 to 1,247 in 2000.
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