Hasta la Vista Baby!

So, I recently heard that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has gone and made some last minute budget cuts, and entirely axed the pot allocated for Catalyst Domestic Services who do things like offer shelter to victims of domestic violence.

The state Legislature had submitted a budget with a 20 percent reduction to the $20.4 million provide to agencies that offer domestic violence services, but Arnie said "NEIN," and slashed the funding by a comprehensive 100 percent.

I have to wonder if they are willing to consider alternatives to the State run options?

By the way, I also heard that the national coalitions created a petition to change Domestic Violence Awareness from October to May. The real reason behind that proposed change, Cancer Awareness is in October and it would take the "thunder" away from Domestic Violence awareness. Come on! Really? Awareness should be on a daily basis, not just once a year. This proposed date change would cost millions and how would they pay for it? Through the funding they get on a federal and state level? Okay, California can’t afford the toilet paper to wipe their asses with and felt the need to cut domestic violence services that they couldn't afford, but let’s spend their money on changing the date of awareness. Hypocrisy at its finest!

So, now that the Governor has vetoed the funding for Domestic Violence, I think California should call an audit of funds to see where these organizations have spending the states money. I'm not sure the funds have been used to help those in need, as much as it should have been doing. I mean, seriously, the domestic violence system is broken. Battered women and children have a hard time getting help sometimes, and abused women generally are left alone to lose their children to their abusers in court.

When I left my abuser, I skipped the red tape altogether and fled to a co-ed homeless shelter rather than a domestic violence shelter. I didn't have time to dilly dally with the system, I just needed to get out of a bad situation and stay safe, and I needed to do so ASAP. I didn't have time to find a Domestic Violence shelter somewhere and see if I could get in or not. I also didn't have time to talk to counselors. For me it was: Leave ASAP or die! So, I fled on my own without help or support from anyone else or any organization. And, once my divorce was final, I never looked back. Upward and onward!

I do realize that going to a homeless shelter can seem too scary for some victims so there needs to be some sanctuary where they can seek refuge if they don't wish to do what I did. So, I don't think California is smart to cut funding for Domestic Violence shelters.