Category: Violence Against Women Act

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Violence Against Women Act

I Survived Domestic Violence. Here’s Why I’m Voting ‘No’ on Violence Against Women Act.

Congresswoman Debbie Lesko represents Arizona’s 8th congressional district. 

 I’m Arizona Congresswoman Debbie Lesko. I’m a survivor of domestic violence from my ex-husband, who I left over 25 years ago.

I am voting ‘no’ on the Democrats’ version of the Violence Against Women Act because it is a radical bill that I believe will actually hurt women more.

This bill, under the weight of federal law, would force domestic violence shelters to take in biological males who identify as women.

This could be in showers. This could be in beds. Can you think of this? We have women that are placed in shelters that have already been abused, some of them sexually abused, but now the federal government is going to require these shelters to take in biological males and sometimes place them right next to these women?

The Violence Against Women Act also requires that prisons take in biological males who identify as women in women prisons.

In the United Kingdom, there’s already been a case where a man who identified as a woman raped two women in prison.

The Democrat version of the Violence Against Women Act takes away Second Amendment rights from people without due process.

When I got an order of protection against my ex-husband many years ago, I went to a justice of the peace and wrote down why I was threatened by him. The justice of the peace gave me an order of protection. My ex-husband was not there. But under this bill, it would have taken away his gun rights. In the case of my ex-husband, he really should have had his gun rights taken away because he was a threat. However, he did not have the ability of due process to defend himself. This is just wrong.

Please don’t be confused by the title of this bill, Violence Against Women Act.

This is nothing but a political strategy by the Democrat Party to put in things in this bill that aren’t bipartisan, that are totally partisan, knowing that Republicans will vote no so that the Democrats can say Republicans are against women.

I’m a survivor of domestic violence. I’m going to vote ‘no’ against this domestic violence act because I don’t believe it will protect women and will actually hurt women more.

Source: https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/04/03/i-survived-domestic-violence-heres-why-im-voting-no-on-violence-against-women-act/

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Domestic Violence Violence Against Women Act

Everything You’ve Heard About Domestic Violence is One-Sided, Misleading, or Completely False

Certain groups in our society like to create a narrative and then run with that narrative, regardless of the facts of the issue. Domestic violence is perfect example of this phenomenon. Practically everything you’ve heard about domestic violence over the past 20 years is one-sided, misleading, or simply false. Here are three of those myths:

1. “Domestic violence is all about men beating up their wives.” Not true. According to the latest Centers for Disease Control report, men are more likely than women to be victims of physical abuse in the past year:[1]

Level of Violence – Previous 12 Months Men Women
Physical violence – overall 3.8% 2.9%
Slapped, pushed, or shoved 3.4% 2.6%
Any severe physical violence 2.0% 1.9%

2. “Abuse is not a problem among lesbians, because women never abuse.” Again, not true. According to the CDC, lesbian couples, indicated in bold in the table, experience higher rates of abuse than among homosexual couples or heterosexual couples:[2]

MALES – Lifetime Gay Bisexual Heterosexual
Slapped, pushed, or shoved 24.0% 27.0% 26.3%
Any severe physical violence 16.4% [Number too small to report] 13.9%
Total 40.0% 27.0% 40.2%
FEMALES – Lifetime Lesbian Bisexual Heterosexual
Slapped, pushed, or shoved 36.3% 55.1% 29.8%
Any severe physical violence 29.4% 49.3% 23.6%
Total 65.7% 100.0% 53.4%

 

3. “Domestic violence is caused by men seeking to uphold their patriarchal power and control.” This statement is not only wrong, it’s ridiculous. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has identified over 25 different causes of domestic violence.[3] These include individual, relationship, and community factors. Substance abuse, marital instability, psychological disorders, and other factors are known to often lead to domestic violence incidents.

 

Another common domestic violence myth is that the problem only involves Partner A hurting Partner B. But in 58% of cases, the abuse is mutual and bi-directional, such as, The woman slaps the man, and he shoves her back.[4]

SAVE has developed a Fact Sheet on Seven Key Facts About Domestic Violence.[5] SAVE also has published two Special Reports that further explore the problem of domestic violence myths:

  • Most DV Educational Programs Lack Accuracy, Balance, and Truthfulness[6]
  • Fifty Domestic Violence Myths[7]

Domestic violence programs and services need to be based on sound research and good evidence, not on ideologically driven myths.

 Citations:

[1] Centers for Disease Control. National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2015 Data Brief – Updated Release. Tables 9 and 11. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/2015data-brief508.pdf

[2] CDC NISVS: 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation. Tables 6 and 7. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_sofindings.pdf

[3] Centers for Disease Control: Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Protective Factors. http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/intimatepartnerviolence/riskprotectivefactors.html

[4] Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling. Rates of bi-directional vs. uni-directional intimate partner violence: A comprehensive review. Partner Abuse Vol. 3, No. 2, 2012. http://www.springerpub.com/content/journals/PA-KnowledgeBase-41410.pdf

[5] http://www.saveservices.org/wp-content/uploads/Seven-Facts-About-DV-2.5.2019.pdf

[6] http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/SAVE-DV-Educational-Programs

[7] http://www.mediaradar.org/docs/RADARreport-50-DV-Myths.pdf

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Violence Against Women Act

Growing Consensus that VAWA’s Criminal Justice Approach Isn’t Working

For years, the focus of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has been ramping up the criminal justice response — more restraining orders, more arrests, more prosecutors, more incarcerations. But this approach does not address the underlying causes of domestic violence: alcohol abuse, marital discord, and childhood emotional trauma.

SAVE has published numerous Special Reports that document the numerous fallacies and flaws of our current approach to domestic violence: http://www.saveservices.org/reports/

Now, that message is sinking in. Recently the HuffPost published an article expressing deep reservations about VAWA’s strong focus on criminal justice measures: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-biden-violence-against-women-act_n_5c7d4097e4b0614614dd02b8

The article quotes University of Maryland law professor Leigh Goodmark:

“No reliable social science data ties the drop in the rates of intimate partner violence to criminalization or to increases in [VAWA] funding. Crime has declined and the funding to address intimate partner violence has increased, but the problem persists.”

SAVE invites you to read the HuffPost article and let your senators know your views on the issue — call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

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Violence Against Women Act

Plenty of Fireworks at Yesterday’s VAWA Hearing

The Violence Against Women Act reauthorization is churning ahead in Congress. Here’s the link to the House bill that was introduced last Thursday: https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/democrats.judiciary.house.gov/files/documents/VAWA_2019_xml%20%28003%29–Final%20Text%20%28004%29_0.pdf

The bill resembles more of a utopian wish-list than a sensible approach to domestic violence. For starters, the bill defines “verbal, emotional, economic, or technological abuse” as domestic violence crimes. “Verbal” and “emotional” abuse are not defined, so essentially every American would become a perpetrator or victim of domestic violence, or both!

Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee held its mark-up session. Plenty of fireworks:

  • Ranking Member Doug Collins criticized Democrats for their efforts to “politicize and weaponize” the domestic violence issue, and described the VAWA bill as a “missed opportunity.”
  • Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin observed, “We are straying further and further from [VAWA’s] original purpose.”

In the end, the Judiciary Committee voted 22-11 to approve the VAWA bill: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/433953-house-panel-approves-renewal-of-violence-against-women-act?fbclid=IwAR1nOa9iPwM9-u_29N87ePokS_xJPlh1JbrPFg1Q6fDu62CM6dxzCnEqi9o#.XIpJLF7-FxU.facebook

Politics is not a spectator sport. Call your Representative to share your concerns: 202-224- 3121

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Domestic Violence Violence Against Women Act

PR: Report: DV Programs May be Shortchanging Women

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Nasheia Conway

Email: nconway@saveservices.org

Report: “Domestic Violence Programs May Be Shortchanging Women”

WASHINGTON / December 13, 2017 – Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is today issuing a report that documents the ineffectiveness and unresponsiveness of the nation’s domestic violence programs, and reveals some of these policies may be harmful to women. SAVE calls upon Congressional lawmakers to assure that qualified persons are selected to draft the upcoming reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

Current domestic violence laws were crafted by advocates who ascribe to the “power and control” model of domestic violence. The “patriarchal control” concept is inconsistent with research findings that women are often the initiators of partner violence (1), and cannot explain why rates of violence are higher among lesbian than heterosexual couples (2).

The power and control orientation has led to rigid domestic violence laws that foster mandatory arrest and no-drop prosecution policies, which are seen as unresponsive to the wishes and needs of women.

The report identifies 10 ways in which the nation’s domestic violence laws are shortchanging women:

  1. No proof of effectiveness
  2. Rigid arrest and prosecution policies place victims at risk
  3. Mandatory prosecution ignores women’s wishes
  4. Women lulled into a false sense of security
  5. Aggressive criminal justice measures ensnare women
  6. Heavy caseloads make it harder for victims to get help
  7. Female abusers can’t get needed help
  8. Shelters lack a therapeutic focus
  9. Children removed from homes
  10. Family dissolution

The report is supported by over 50 citations of scientific research studies, government surveys, and expert reports, and is available online (3).

Citations:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, Atlanta, Georgia. Tables 4.7 and 4.8. http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/NISVS_Report2010-a.pdf
  2. NISVS, 2010 Findings on Victimization by Sexual Orientation, Tables 6 and 7. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_sofindings.pdf
  3. http://www.saveservices.org/reports/

 

SAVE (Stop Abusive and Violent Environments) is working for practical and effective solutions to domestic violence: www.saveservices.org

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Discrimination Domestic Violence Press Release Research VAWA Inclusion Mandate Victim-Centered Investigations Victims Violence Against Women Act

PR: SAVE Encourages Domestic Violence Groups to Warn At-Risk Victims

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

SAVE Encourages Domestic Violence Groups to Warn At-Risk Victims

WASHINGTON / October 29, 2013 – Stop Abusive and Violent Environments, a leading domestic violence advocacy group, is urging anti-abuse service organizations to update their websites and training materials so persons at high risk of partner violence are warned to take necessary protective measures.

SAVE has identified three risk factors that dramatically multiply a person’s chance of injury and death:

  1. Separated: Persons who are separated face a risk of partner violence that is 50 times higher than the rate of married individuals: Married: 0.9/1,000. Separated: 49.0/1,000.
  2. Mutual violence: A CDC survey found that injury is more than twice as likely when the violence is mutual — 28.4% — compared to unidirectional violence — 11.6%.
  3. Female-initiated violence: Female initiation of violence is the leading reason for the woman becoming injured by her partner, according to research by Dr. Sandra Stith.

A review of existing online Fact Sheets reveals some groups, such as the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, do warn persons about the first risk factor.

But SAVE’s analysis has failed to identify a single group that is warning persons about the risks of mutual or female-initiated violence. As a result, at-risk persons do not take special precautions to deter violence. And policymakers may be unaware of the need for programs designed to address these worrisome situations.

To date, SAVE has reviewed Fact Sheets produced by the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Futures Without Violence, New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, NY City Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence, and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. SAVE evaluated their statements according to 10 objective criteria of accuracy, balance, and completeness: http://www.saveservices.org/camp/truth/

In the future, SAVE plans to review the educational materials of other organizations

“SAVE applauds the work of domestic violence groups that warn persons about the risks of separating from an abusive partner,” notes SAVE spokesperson Sheryle Hutter. “But why aren’t these groups also highlighting the risks of mutual and female-initiated abuse?”

Each year, approximately 1,200 Americans were killed by their intimate partners.

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

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CAMP Discrimination Domestic Violence Press Release Research VAWA Inclusion Mandate Victims Violence Against Women Act

PR: Factual Missteps Are Slowing National Campaign to End Partner Abuse, SAVE Says

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

Factual Missteps Are Slowing National Campaign to End Partner Abuse, SAVE Says

WASHINGTON / October 1, 2013 – Victim-advocacy group Stop Abusive and Violent Environments warns that factual errors and misrepresentations in public education efforts sponsored by domestic violence organizations may represent an obstacle in the on-going effort to rid the nation of domestic violence. SAVE issues the alert in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is observed in October each year.

The Partner Abuse State of Knowledge (PASK) project, a summary of over 1,700 domestic violence research studies, concludes that mutual abuse among partners is commonplace, and men and women engage in partner aggression at similar rates: http://domesticviolenceresearch.org/

Despite the PASK findings, SAVE notes some domestic violence organizations continue to ignore the problem of mutual abuse and minimize female-initiated aggression: www.saveservices.org/camp/truth/. Some groups maintain that domestic violence is an expression of patriarchal power, a stance that ignores the plight of thousands of women caught in abusive same-sex relationships.

The biased statements undergird shelter policies that allow male victims to be turned away. The informational errors also result in female offenders not being referred for anger management classes, substance abuse treatment, or other services: http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/VAWA-Has-It-Delivered-on-Its-Promises-to-Women

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is supposed to be about enhancing citizens’ understanding of domestic violence,” notes SAVE spokesperson Sheryle Hutter. “But groups that distort the truth are keeping us from ending the cycle of violence.”

Organizations receiving federal grants are prohibited from engaging in wasteful or fraudulent practices, according to the Department of Justice: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/financialguide/PDFs/OCFO_2012FinancialGuide.pdf Domestic violence services organizations are welcome to update their training materials and fact sheets based on SAVE’s Seven Key Facts About Domestic Violence: http://www.saveservices.org/key-facts/

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

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Accountability CAMP Domestic Violence Press Release Research VAWA Inclusion Mandate Victims Violence Against Women Act

PR: ‘Truth Team’ Will Promote Accurate Information and Inclusiveness by Abuse Agencies

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

‘Truth Team’ Will Promote Accurate Information and Inclusiveness by Abuse Agencies

WASHINGTON / September 9, 2013 – SAVE, a non-profit victim advocacy organization, announces the launch of a new project called “Truth Team.” The project is designed to counter misinformation and assure compliance with the new federal inclusivity mandate of the Violence Against Women Act.

Truth Team will rely on findings from the Partner Abuse State of Knowledge (PASK) project, a summary of over 1,700 research studies on domestic violence which concludes men and women engage in partner aggression at approximately equal rates. (http://domesticviolenceresearch.org/)

The CDC National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found 6.5% of men, compared to 6.3% of women, had experienced physical violence committed by a partner. (http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/NISVS_Report2010-a.pdf , Tables 4.7 and 4.8) The survey also found that each year, men are far more likely to experience psychological aggression: 18% of men compared to 14% of women. (Tables 4.9 and 4.10)

But 18 months after the release of this government study, SAVE notes that many domestic violence organizations still depict partner aggression in ways that are misleading and untruthful. Faulty information can give rise to policies that serve to exclude needy victims. These exclusionary practices often violate provisions added to the Violence Against Women Act during its recent reauthorization.

Truth Team will review agencies’ Fact Sheet, compare them against 10 objective criteria, and assign a letter grade. SAVE will then work with agencies to update their Fact Sheets to assure accuracy. Results of the assessment will be posted on the SAVE website and disseminated to the public.

“Domestic violence groups need to make sure the information they are providing to the public is accurate and honest,” notes SAVE spokesperson Sheryle Hutter. “Lawmakers and the public will no longer tolerate the exclusion of victims from our abuse shelters and service programs.”

More information about SAVE’s Truth Team can be seen at http://www.saveservices.org/camp/truth/

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

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Abuse Shelter Dating Violence Discrimination Domestic Violence Press Release Victims Violence Violence Against Women Act

PR: SAVE Applauds Growing Number of Inclusive Abuse Shelters

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

SAVE Applauds Growing Number of Inclusive Abuse Shelters

WASHINGTON / April 16, 2013 – SAVE, a national victim-rights organization, welcomes the growing number of abuse shelters and other domestic violence service providers that now provide inclusive services. These services are required under the new VAWA Inclusion Mandate (1), a series of anti-discrimination provisions included in the newly reauthorized Violence Against Women Act.

The anti-bias measures were included in the Violence Against Women Act due to documented discriminatory practices against lesbian/gay (2), male (3), and other (4) victims of abuse. The Violence Against Women Act reauthorization, signed into law on March 7, 2013, now bans discrimination on the basis of “race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.”

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments – SAVE – has compiled a listing of inclusive shelters that features over 50 domestic violence providers located around the country (5). Examples include:

1. Peaceful Paths, based in Gainesville, Fla., provides a crisis line, emergency shelter, advocacy, support groups, and transitional housing to LGBTQ, male, and female victims of partner abuse.

2. Located in Lebanon, New Hampshire, WISE offers a 24-hr crisis line, emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, referrals to all victims – LGBTQ, female, or male.

3. First Step in Fostoria, Ohio, First Step offers a shelter for male victims of domestic violence and programs to build healthy relationships, learn parenting skills, manage stress effectively, and develop life skills.

Many shelters, such as South Valley Sanctuary in Murray, Utah, also offer their inclusive services in both English and Spanish. Some groups, such as the Domestic Violence Program of Asian Americans for Community Involvement in San Jose, Calif., target their services to specific ethnic groups.

“After years of exclusion, it’s thrilling to see so many shelters now expanding their services so no survivor of domestic violence becomes revictimized by the system,” notes SAVE spokesperson Sheryle Hutter. “And for shelters scrambling to come into line with the Inclusion Mandate, SAVE’s Inclusion Resource Center should be a great help.”

SAVE offers a range of resources to shelters working to assure compliance with the VAWA Inclusion Mandate, including an Inclusion Checklist, fact sheets, research summaries, and population-specific information (6). Domestic violence providers who wish to be considered for inclusion in the Listing of Inclusive Shelters should send a request to inclusivevawa@saveservices.org. There is no charge for the listing.

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

  1. http://www.saveservices.org/inclusive-vawa/legal-provisions/
  2. http://www.avp.org/resources/avp-resources/136
  3. http://www.saveservices.org/downloads/Domestic-Violence-Programs-Discriminate-Against-Male-Victims
  4. Tricia Bent-Goodley. Perceptions of Domestic Violence: A Dialogue with African American Women. Health and Social Work, Vol. 29, No. 4. 2004.
  5. http://www.saveservices.org/inclusive-vawa/shelter-listings/
  6. http://www.saveservices.org/inclusive-vawa/resources/
Categories
Abuse Shelter Civil Rights Discrimination Domestic Violence Press Release Victims Violence Against Women Act

Press Release: SAVE Unveils the Inclusive-VAWA Resource Center

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Teri Stoddard
Telephone: 301-801-0608
Email: tstoddard@saveservices.org

SAVE Unveils the Inclusive-VAWA Resource Center

WASHINGTON / April 3, 2013 – Following Congressional approval of the VAWA Inclusion Mandate, victim advocacy group Stop Abusive and Violent Environments (SAVE) is unveiling a new Inclusive-VAWA Resource Center for abuse shelters and other domestic violence service providers. The VAWA Inclusion Mandate, which applies to all organizations receiving grants under the newly reauthorized Violence Against Women Act, bans discrimination on the basis of “race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability” (1).

The Inclusive-VAWA Resource Center features a variety of tools designed to help program directors comply with the new mandate. The Resource Center includes fact sheets, an inclusion checklist, special reports, a summary of legal requirements, and more. The fact sheets can be used by shelter managers to update information on websites and in training materials.

The Resource Center includes a sample Resolution for lawmakers who want to assure that under-served populations have equal access to services (2). These populations include African-Americans, American Indians, Asian-Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Immigrants, LGBT, Male Victims, and Persons with Disabilities.

SAVE also offers a consulting service to help domestic violence and sexual assault programs implement the VAWA Inclusion Mandate. This service can include phone consultations, trainings, website updates, and development of brochures and training manuals.

SAVE is recognizing abuse shelters with inclusive policies by listing them in the Resource Center.

“It’s exciting to see people standing up for these under-served victims,” says SAVE spokeswoman Kim Konash, “Thanks to the new VAWA Inclusion Mandate, no victim will need to fear being ridiculed or turned away.”

The Inclusive-VAWA Resource Center can be visited here: www.saveservices.org/inclusive-vawa/resources/.

For more information, contact inclusivevawa@saveservices.org.

Stop Abusive and Violent Environments is a victim-advocacy organization working for evidence-based solutions to domestic violence and sexual assault: www.saveservices.org

  1.  http://www.saveservices.org/inclusive-vawa/legal-provisions/
  2.  http://www.saveservices.org/inclusive-vawa/resolution/