Virtually everyone knows that the economy is slumping, we are in the midst of a housing crunch, health care costs are spiraling out of control, and flu season is upon us. But there is another national crisis that deserves our attention and action: domestic violence.
One in four women will be the victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives. On average, three women are killed every day by someone who says, “I love you.” More than 15 million children are exposed to domestic violence each year.
Domestic violence is a silent killer in America long thought to be a private issue within one’s family. Yet, it affects everyone – women, men and children – and the numbers are chilling.
Intimate partner violence is widespread among all socio-economic groups, ethnicity, and demographics. Superstars like Rihanna and Halle Berry are survivors of abuse. So, too, are the 2.3 million Americans who are raped or physically assaulted by a current or former partner each year.
As October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, comes to an end, please join me in taking a stand against domestic violence in your community throughout the year. Coordinate a fundraising drive, volunteer your time, or make a donation. Contact your state’s coalition against domestic violence or a local program that serves survivors to see how you can help.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Musician Moby and the CA Senate
While I applaud Sen. Lee and Moby for pressing the California Senate to do the right thing, it is extremely unfortunate that it took the threat of a musician funding domestic violence shelters to move the legislature to action.
By the way, in case you don't understand what I am talking about, California Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) teamed up with popular musician Moby to raise awareness on how the cuts harm the state’s vulnerable women and children. Moby had promised to contribute $85,000 in proceeds from three shows in California to make up for the $16 million budget shortfall impacting domestic violence shelters. Proceeds will go to the SOS Fund established by the California Partnership to End Violence. Already, six shelters have closed and many more are facing reductions in staff and services and possible closure. On the heels of all this, the California state legislature voted Oct. 16 to restore funding to domestic violence shelters, which had been entirely cut from Governor Schwarzenegger’s July budget.
Groups across the state have been fighting for women and children’s rights for years, and the government must support their efforts. And let’s not forget all the other cuts to state services including health care, child welfare programs, services for the elderly, money for state parks, and the list goes on. Let’s see if the California state legislature will have the courage to restore the entire half billion dollar in cuts, without Moby’s help.
By the way, in case you don't understand what I am talking about, California Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) teamed up with popular musician Moby to raise awareness on how the cuts harm the state’s vulnerable women and children. Moby had promised to contribute $85,000 in proceeds from three shows in California to make up for the $16 million budget shortfall impacting domestic violence shelters. Proceeds will go to the SOS Fund established by the California Partnership to End Violence. Already, six shelters have closed and many more are facing reductions in staff and services and possible closure. On the heels of all this, the California state legislature voted Oct. 16 to restore funding to domestic violence shelters, which had been entirely cut from Governor Schwarzenegger’s July budget.
Groups across the state have been fighting for women and children’s rights for years, and the government must support their efforts. And let’s not forget all the other cuts to state services including health care, child welfare programs, services for the elderly, money for state parks, and the list goes on. Let’s see if the California state legislature will have the courage to restore the entire half billion dollar in cuts, without Moby’s help.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Domestic Violence Funding Restored
Back in special session, the state Senate approved a bill Wednesday, Oct. 14, that would restore $16.3 million in funding to 94 domestic violence shelters throughout California.
Republican senators held up the bill during the Legislature's final session last month because they were peeved some proposals they wanted had not been fulfilled.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cut the funding as a line-item budget veto, arguing that the Legislature had not cut enough overall.
The bill that restores funding goes to the governor for his signature. The bill transfers money from the Renewable Fuel and Technology Fund to the General Fund as a loan.
Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, was the bill's original author. His name was removed during the end of the session, though, after he generated some ill will among fellow Democrats for not voting for budget cuts his colleagues felt they were forced to approve.
Sen. Elaine Alquist, D-Santa Clara, is listed as the author now.
Republican senators held up the bill during the Legislature's final session last month because they were peeved some proposals they wanted had not been fulfilled.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cut the funding as a line-item budget veto, arguing that the Legislature had not cut enough overall.
The bill that restores funding goes to the governor for his signature. The bill transfers money from the Renewable Fuel and Technology Fund to the General Fund as a loan.
Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, was the bill's original author. His name was removed during the end of the session, though, after he generated some ill will among fellow Democrats for not voting for budget cuts his colleagues felt they were forced to approve.
Sen. Elaine Alquist, D-Santa Clara, is listed as the author now.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the National Coalition For Men (NCFM) anticipates two successful high profile legal rulings this year and last year in West Virginia and California, respectively, will bring needed attention to the hidden, overlooked side of partner abuse – male victims.
On October 2, 2009, a West Virginia judge struck down state rules for regulating domestic violence shelters because they operate “on the premise that only men can be batterers and only women can be victims” and “exclude adult and adolescent males from their statutory right to safety and security free from domestic violence” based only on their gender.”
One year ago on October 14, 2008, NCFM won a landmark appellate victory in California, which held that state laws violated men’s equal protection rights by excluded male victims from state-funded domestic violence services. The court found ”domestic violence is a serious problem for both women and men” and that “men experience significant levels of domestic violence as victims.” The court also found 15% of state-funded programs deny men services, but NCFM believes it is higher, as programs often “help” by only giving referrals.
More attention is needed for male victims and their children, as both are overlooked in state-funded outreach and services. And, for several reasons, men are already less likely than women to seek help for domestic violence. A major national study funded by the Centers for Disease Control in 2007 found women initiate or commit at least half of heterosexual domestic violence and both sexes suffered significant injuries. http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/42/15/31-a
This is supported by more than 200 other empirical studies summarized in an online bibliography by Professor Martin Fiebert of California State University. See www.csulb.edu/~mfiebert/assault.htm This research is more reliable than crime data because men are less likely to report the violence or to respond positively to crime surveys. But regardless of statistics, services should be need-based, not gender-based. When victims don’t get help, the violence often escalates, and children are emotionally damaged by witnessing it.
On October 2, 2009, a West Virginia judge struck down state rules for regulating domestic violence shelters because they operate “on the premise that only men can be batterers and only women can be victims” and “exclude adult and adolescent males from their statutory right to safety and security free from domestic violence” based only on their gender.”
One year ago on October 14, 2008, NCFM won a landmark appellate victory in California, which held that state laws violated men’s equal protection rights by excluded male victims from state-funded domestic violence services. The court found ”domestic violence is a serious problem for both women and men” and that “men experience significant levels of domestic violence as victims.” The court also found 15% of state-funded programs deny men services, but NCFM believes it is higher, as programs often “help” by only giving referrals.
More attention is needed for male victims and their children, as both are overlooked in state-funded outreach and services. And, for several reasons, men are already less likely than women to seek help for domestic violence. A major national study funded by the Centers for Disease Control in 2007 found women initiate or commit at least half of heterosexual domestic violence and both sexes suffered significant injuries. http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/42/15/31-a
This is supported by more than 200 other empirical studies summarized in an online bibliography by Professor Martin Fiebert of California State University. See www.csulb.edu/~mfiebert/assault.htm This research is more reliable than crime data because men are less likely to report the violence or to respond positively to crime surveys. But regardless of statistics, services should be need-based, not gender-based. When victims don’t get help, the violence often escalates, and children are emotionally damaged by witnessing it.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Violent Upbringing May Lead to DV
A recent study from the latest issue of Personal Relationships shows that individuals who have experienced violence at an early age may have trouble adjusting to healthy, adult romantic relationships and are at a higher risk to experience marital difficulties. The research reveals that early exposure to a violent environment is likely to lead to domestic violence situations later in life. Feelings of insecurity, abandonment anxiety, and intimacy issues are also likely to plague these romantic connections.
Additionally, the dynamics of the way couples react and communicate with each other is also related to the likelihood of domestic violence within a relationship. For example, men tend to use violence towards their partner as a means to exert a desire for personal space or avoidance of emotional issues in response to the "clingy" or intrusive behavior of his female partner.
This research highlights the importance of domestic violence prevention efforts starting at the childhood level, within family environments as well as school and community based settings. Moreover, prevention efforts allow the victim to relate long-harbored painful childhood violent experiences and rectify internal representations of self that cause long-term damage to valuable inter-personal relationships and families.
Additionally, the dynamics of the way couples react and communicate with each other is also related to the likelihood of domestic violence within a relationship. For example, men tend to use violence towards their partner as a means to exert a desire for personal space or avoidance of emotional issues in response to the "clingy" or intrusive behavior of his female partner.
This research highlights the importance of domestic violence prevention efforts starting at the childhood level, within family environments as well as school and community based settings. Moreover, prevention efforts allow the victim to relate long-harbored painful childhood violent experiences and rectify internal representations of self that cause long-term damage to valuable inter-personal relationships and families.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Honoring the 15th Anniversary of VAWA
Today is the first day of October, which means it is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed every October across the country. National, state, and community organizations for violence prevention and victim services, businesses, health care providers, and others mark the month with educational programs, recognition and memorial ceremonies, community outreach, and other efforts.
Any violence taking place within a family or intimate relationship is domestic violence. It includes abuse of spouses, girlfriends and boyfriends, children, and elderly people. Domestic violence cuts across all socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, religious, and age groups.
Studies show that children who witness violence at home experience behavioral problems and increased aggression, have less developed social and conflict resolution skills, and may suffer long-term developmental effects. These youth are also at risk of engaging in future violence and of being abused themselves. Researchers have found that people who batter their partners are also more likely to abuse their children.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides services in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or someone you know is being abused, contact the hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
On a related subject, women’s groups, including National Domestic Violence Hotline CEO Sheryl Cates, gathered at Vice President Joe Biden’s home on the evening of Sept. 29 to toast the 15th anniversary of landmark legislation aimed at eliminating violence against women.
"You’ve helped so many women step out of the darkness. You’ve helped so many young girls expect a different future, expect different treatment," Biden said as he commemorated the 1994 Violence Against Women Act. "This is a day to celebrate. We have so much to be proud of."
In addition to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, The National Women’s Law Center, FaithTrust Institute, National Network to End Domestic Violence and American Association of University Women were among the groups invited to the vice president’s residence, located on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory in northwest Washington.
Biden recalled how domestic violence was once regarded as a private matter. "It wasn’t the business of the government. It’s a family matter," he told about 100 guests. Advocates for women inspired a different attitude, he said.
The Violence Against Women Act, crafted by Biden while he served on the Senate Judiciary Committee as a senator from Delaware, led to more money for women’s shelters and law-enforcement training.
Domestic violence rates fell sharply between 1993 and 2004. The Bureau of Justice Statistics said that "intimate partner violence" rates fell by more than 50 percent, which some experts attributed to key elements of the 1994 law.
Any violence taking place within a family or intimate relationship is domestic violence. It includes abuse of spouses, girlfriends and boyfriends, children, and elderly people. Domestic violence cuts across all socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, religious, and age groups.
Studies show that children who witness violence at home experience behavioral problems and increased aggression, have less developed social and conflict resolution skills, and may suffer long-term developmental effects. These youth are also at risk of engaging in future violence and of being abused themselves. Researchers have found that people who batter their partners are also more likely to abuse their children.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides services in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or someone you know is being abused, contact the hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
On a related subject, women’s groups, including National Domestic Violence Hotline CEO Sheryl Cates, gathered at Vice President Joe Biden’s home on the evening of Sept. 29 to toast the 15th anniversary of landmark legislation aimed at eliminating violence against women.
"You’ve helped so many women step out of the darkness. You’ve helped so many young girls expect a different future, expect different treatment," Biden said as he commemorated the 1994 Violence Against Women Act. "This is a day to celebrate. We have so much to be proud of."
In addition to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, The National Women’s Law Center, FaithTrust Institute, National Network to End Domestic Violence and American Association of University Women were among the groups invited to the vice president’s residence, located on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory in northwest Washington.
Biden recalled how domestic violence was once regarded as a private matter. "It wasn’t the business of the government. It’s a family matter," he told about 100 guests. Advocates for women inspired a different attitude, he said.
The Violence Against Women Act, crafted by Biden while he served on the Senate Judiciary Committee as a senator from Delaware, led to more money for women’s shelters and law-enforcement training.
Domestic violence rates fell sharply between 1993 and 2004. The Bureau of Justice Statistics said that "intimate partner violence" rates fell by more than 50 percent, which some experts attributed to key elements of the 1994 law.
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