Stop the Abuse

HIGH FIVES: Police Donate Computers to Aid DV Victims

The April 19, 2006, issue of the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Richmond, Virginia, reports that the Police Department has donated three new Dell computers to the YMCA for use in its safe houses for victims of domestic abuse.  The purpose is to allow abuse victims to have direct online access to the I Can system of the Virginia courts web site.  This system explains court procedures and helps victims file for protective orders.

The computer donation program was organized by Police Chief Rodney Monroe, whose sister was killed in a domestic abuse crime in Maryland in 2002.

The article also reports that the Richmond police commemorated Victims Rights Awareness Week in 2005 by donating more than 1,200 used cell phones to be recycled by Verizon for emergency use by domestic abuse victims. 

The cell phone donation program was organized by detective Carol Adams, whose mother was killed in a domestic abuse crime in 1980.

More great ideas to help domestic abuse victims take control of their lives.

HIGH FIVES: Boston Wants to Create a Statewide Notification System for Victims

Good news in Boston this week.  The May 12, 2006, issue of the Boston Globe reports that the state legislature's Public Safety Committee is recommending that a statewide notification system be created to notify victims when their previous abuser is released from custody.

In addition, the committee's report called for the tracking of abusers with electronic monitoring bracelets as another method to protect domestic violence victims.

The committee members said they hope to follow up the report with new legislation filed in the coming months.

HIGH FIVES: Wausau Volunteers Provide Shelter to Pets of Victims Fleeing Abuse

More good news for domestic violence victims and their pets.  The May 14, 2006, issue of the Wausau Daily Herald in Wausau, Wisconsin, features the generous partnership between the Humane Society of Marathon County and the Women's Community (an agency which provides a shelter home, 24-hour crisis line, legal advocacy, and information and support to victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault and their children).

Gina Ramsey, transitional program client advocate for the Women's Community, states, "The first year I worked here, I offered the shelter and (victims) didn't want to leave because they were afraid their animals would be abused."

Batterers abuse or kill animals for many reasons, including to punish a victim for leaving, eliminate competition for attention (remember how Borderlines are afraid of being abandoned or lose the love of their victim?) and to demonstrate power.

The program provides a temporary shelter for animals.  A grant allows the Humane Society to give the animals needed immunizations as well as food.  Volunteers who offer their homes as shelter are not responsible for the cost of caring for the pet.

Another worthwhile program that should be duplicated across the country.

HIGH FIVES: Maryland Says DV Victims Can Keep Their Addresses Private

Another powerful protection for domestic violence victims:  the May 10, 2006, issue of the Maryland Gazette reported that on May 2nd, Governor Ehrlich signed a law which provides address confidentiality for domestic violence victims. 

The victim must first go to court to obtain a restraining order from a judge against the abuser.  Once that is done, the victim signs a special waiver and release allowing his or her home address to go to the Maryland Secretary of State only.  All mail is sent to the secretary's office, then forwarded to the victim.

The senator sponsoring the bill, Alex Mooney of Frederick, Maryland, stated, "No one can get the address without a court order.  Even the police have to get a court order."

How about contacting your legislator to get this law passed in your state?  Wouldn't it be great if this law were universal across our whole country?

HIGH FIVES: Iowa, Kansas and Minnesota Propose More Victim Address Protection

More good news on protecting the address whereabouts of victims. 

The Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier reported on March 21, 2006, that the Iowa Senate had passed a bill which would allow victims to remove their names from county real estate records and voter registration rolls.  This procedure would be open to people who are protected by a restraining order or can show other evidence that their life is in danger.

Senator Frank Wood, one of the bill's sponsors, said, "This bill would eliminate an abuser from sitting in their home and stalking his victim with his computer."  The bill was written in response to rising concerns that the Internet is making it difficult for victims of domestic violence to escape their abusers.  The bill now heads to the Iowa House.

The Kansas City Star reported on March 14, 2006, that Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh endorsed a bill that would allow domestic violence victims to protect themselves by using his office as a mail address.  State officials would then forward mail to its intended recipient.

This proposed law was to have its first hearing March 14th in the Kansas House Federal and State Affairs Committee.  The bill is also backed by the Kansas Bureau of Investigations and the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence.

And then there's Minnesota, where Minneapolis/St. Paul television station WCCO-TV reported on April 5, 2006, that St. Paul Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer is proposing the same type of program for address protection for victims as we've seen Maryland and the above quoted states putting into action. 

Kiffmeyer's proposal comes too late in the legislative session to move as a separate bill, but she stated that it will be attached to a larger public safety spending bill.

Kiffmeyer stated that this type of address protection program is already in effect in 18 states. 

Only 32 states to go -- is there a program like this in your state?

HIGH FIVES: London Contractors Make Homes Safe for Victims

It's wonderful to read of organizations going the extra mile to help abuse victims and their families feel safe. 

The March 16, 2006, issue of the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian newspaper for East London and West Essex reported that victims of domestic violence are getting help to make their homes safe from intruders.  Funded by Waltham Forest Council through the Sanctuary Project, homes are inspected by a crime prevention officer and then building contractors complete the work necessary to make the property secure.

Thirty properties have been made secure since April, 2005.  Thirty families -- Moms and their children -- are now able to go to sleep at night feeling safe.

Another positive step in helping victims and their children continue living near their families, friends and other support networks, helping them rebuild their lives and recover from the abuse they've received.

HIGH FIVES: More Effective Prosecution of Abusers in Michigan

The April 21, 2006, issue of the Harbor Light newspaper in Harbor Springs, Michigan, reports that starting in May, prosecutors can use evidence of a victim's past statements and a defendant's previous behavior in domestic violence cases.  The new legislation was signed into law recently by Governor Jennifer Granholm.  The laws are aimed at better protecting women and other victims of domestic abuse.

Good job.

HIGH FIVES: New Maine Law Protects Pets in DV Environments

HIGH FIVES to Maine Goveror John Baldacci.  The Bangor Daily News of March 31, 2006, reported that LD 1881 was signed into law on the 31st, the first law in the country that gives judges the authority to protect pets when domestic abuse victims seek a protection order.

Baldacci called it 'unconscionable' that 76 percent of victims who seek safety at domestic violence shelters report that their abusers either harmed or threatened their pets as a tool to control and intimidate them.  The new law can help break that cycle of violence, he noted.

The landmark law not only gives judges the power to include pets on a protection from abuse order, but also gives them authority to impose penalties if the order is violated.  Those penalties range from a fine to jail time.

The April 1, 2006, edition of the New York Times reported that although Maine is believed to be the first state with such a law, a new program in Columbus, Ohio, takes animals of victims of domestic violence and places them in a women's prison, where the inmates care for them.

In Nashville, the city gives such pets a safe haven for up to 30 days.  And in St. Louis, the Domestic Violence Pet Assistance Program finds foster homes for the animals.

Way to go.  Now let's get this law enacted across the country.

HIGH FIVES: Home Security Systems Donated to DV Victims

Hurray for ADT Security Services, the Spring of Tampa Bay, the Tampa Police Department and the Sheriff's Office in Tampa.

The November 16, 2005, issue of the St. Petersburg Times in St. Petersburg, Florida, reported that domestic violence victims who are deemed to be in imminent danger and have secured restraining orders will be given -- free of charge -- a home security system that sends a silent alarm to ADT Security Services.  The victims can either push a button mounted in the home or on a pendant.

ADT is paying for the program, estimated to cost $50,000 over five years.  High Five to ADT.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if every security service in the country offered the same service?