Prisons May Release Domestic Violence Offenders in Fresno, CA

ABC in Fresno, California is reporting on a new law that may have a negative impact on victims of domestic violence. California prisons are crowded.

This is a common theme in the US right now. Rather than build more prisons to house inmates this state has come up with a potentially dangerous plan.

The ABC report referenced above says that in 2 weeks inmates who are not considered to be dangerous will be released. This includes offenders who are in prison for domestic violence.

Sheriff Jerry Dyer is quoted as saying "when offenders get out of prison they will re-contact their victims. And the consequences could be dangerous."

Victims of domestic violence should not panic. An advocate can help create a safety plan and answer questions. The Marjaree Mason Center in Fresno is a tremendous asset for victims. The program offers domestic violence support and a shelter. Survivors can find contact information and resources online.

More information:
Fresno Bee
The Hive
Sun-Star

Will Domestic Violence Offenders in KY Wear Ankle Bracelets?

I hope so. Actually, I hope this measure is enacted in every state.

When the daughter of Diana Ross of Lexington, Kentucky died of domestic violence her mother fought back. Nothing can bring back Amanda Ross but a bill created in her memory might help others. The bill was passed by the House and now faces the next step in the process.

According to the Herald-Dispatch the bill proposed by Diana Ross would allow domestic violence offenders to wear ankle bracelets if ordered by the judge. The article goes on to say that 10 others states have similar legislation.

Reports from the Glasgow Daily Times indicate that Amanda did everything right. She filed a police report and a judge granted a domestic violence protective order. She then entered the period of time that is most dangerous for a victim of domestic violence and paid with her life.

Passage of the bill known as "Amanda's Law" will not effect every domestic violence offender. It will give judges another tool to use in the efforts to control those offenders that they feel are the most dangerous. With an ankle bracelet in place a sensor would set off an alarm to let victims know that the offender has broken an order of protection and is nearby. This would presumably allow victims a chance to react, call the police and to better protect themselves.

The goal is to keep other victims from the fate that Amanda Ross suffered. Hopefully, Amanda's Law will pass in Kentucky and set an example for all other states to follow.

Her memory deserves nothing less.

More information
WKYT
WLKY
WBKO

Domestic Violence Among Native American Women

Native American women are proud. They are strong. They are often victims of domestic violence.

Factors that make it hard for these women to get help include the same obstacles that are faced by all women. The fear of reprisal, being disbelieved when making a report, difficulty in accessing services and more.

Indian Country Today (linked below) is filled with tremendous insight on the problems faced by Native American Women. The article Challenges for Native American Women came out in January 12, 2010. The writer, Kathryn Tucker, spent months doing the research necessary to write the article.

It outlines some of the problems that are faced include discrimination. Approximately 60% of Native American Women do not live on a reservation. Those who do not may face a higher incidence of discrimination and isolation from support services. Even for those women who do live on reservations the road to safety is fraught with danger. They too may face discrimination or unbelieving police officers when attempting to file charges against an abuser.

That doesn't change the fact that no one deserves to be abused.

Fortunately, society is beginning to hear the pleas of these women. The Tribal Court Clearinghouse makes resources available through their website. Let's Wrap Domestic Violence Program serves southwestern Minnesota. Services include online information and local support.

Services are beginning to come. For Native American Women and all women worldwide these changes cannot come a moment too soon.

More information:
Indian Country Today
CNN.com: Official: Violence to Some Groups of Women "Shocking".

Nicole Kidman Works to End Domestic Violence

Her name and face are recognized worldwide. Nicole Kidman starred in Moulin Rouge, Australia, Bewitched and many other films. Now her star shines on another platform. She is a crusader in the fight to end violence against women; commonly referred to as domestic violence. Nicole Kidman is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women and spoke in front of the US Congress in October 2009.


On January 8, 2010 Nicole Kidman helped launch the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) New International Center. The FVPF and UNIFEM are 2 organizations who work together to end domestic violence on a global scale. This 100 year old building will be used to host conferences, forums and international workshops. Utilization of the center and the partnership of these and other organizations is a major step forward to ending violence against women.


The opening of the center is an exciting way to begin 2010. We look forward to hearing more great things about the organizations on the page and the center itself.


For more information:

• Say No- UNITE
• IndiaTimes; Movies
• ContactMusic.Com

The You Tube Video of Nicole Kidman and UNIFEM.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day - Jan 11.

 The 13th Amendment to the US Constitution ended slavery in 1865. At least, that was the intent. Over a century later we are fighting the latest form of slavery, human trafficking. Awareness Day is January 11, 2009. Bloggers will post about it. Local organizations will talk about it. Honest cops and governments will fight it. Peole will die from it. For some human trafficking victims death will come as a friend; not as an enemy.  This Time News article paints a brutal and savage picture.

In this war, it is churches who lead the fight while governments negotiate. Human Trafficking is complex. Victims are often misled into thinking that they are being offered legitimate jobs. Then they are beaten, raped, humiliated, sleep deprived and given drugs. The profit for the captors can be enormous.

Fullstop estimates the current number of trafficked persons to be 27 million. Many of these are forced into the sex trade.

What can you do to help in the fight? The Polaris Project has some suggestions.

Other resources in the fight against human trafficking:

Evangelical Covenant Church
National Council of Churches
United Methodist Church
National Council of Catholic Women

Charlie Sheen and Domestic Violence Another Star Falls

Charlie Sheen arrested for domestic violence? The BBC reports that he spent much of Christmas Day cooling his heels in a jail cell. Is this any way for a grown man with two twin boys to behave? It will be nice if this is all a misunderstanding and he's not guilty of domestic violence. (After all, he is innocent until and unless a court of law finds him guilty.)

No one deserves to be a victim but it's something that we read in the headlines almost everyday. The fact remains that many stars are falling because of a pattern of learned bad behavior.

Whatever ugly name you call it (domestic violence, intimate partner violence, family violence or domestic abuse)  the idolization of stars who perpetrate these acts have got to stop. It's not a crime of passion. It's not love. It's not a joke. Domestic violence maims, kills and causes other types of injuries. It is certainly not the type of Christmas present that anyone wants to give or receive.

If you are a victim in need of help call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 1.800.787.3224 (TTY).


Read more about Charlie Sheen and domestic violence below:
NY Post Online
Canada.Com
World News Network