The Violence Against Women Act would pay for $660 million in programs to help domestic violence victims.
Maryland programs for domestic violence victims could be hurt if the Violence Against Women Act isn't reauthorized by Congress.
The proposed legislation, which provides about $660 million over a five-year period, would fund programs aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence, education on prevention and legal aid for survivors, according to the Christian Science Monitor.
U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) has implored the House to pass the Senate’s version of VAWA.
“The Violence Against Women Act has a proven track record of protecting women from domestic violence and it is hard to understand opposition to legislation with the goal of curbing domestic violence,” Cardin stated in a press release. “Saving women’s lives should not be a partisan issue.”
“Can we stop the election-year gimmicks? Can we stop these manufactured wars that pit one group of Americans against another group of Americans?” freshman Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) asked in mid May on the House floor, according to theChristian Science Monitor.
The Senate passed its version in April.
The U.S. House of Representatives' version, passed in May, does not explicitly define that VAWA would cover the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender Americans. It leaves the language up to local law enforcement to interpret.
The House version also doesn’t protect the rights of Native American women to take their abusers to court, rather only allowing them to apply for a protective order from U.S. court system.
Finally, it doesn’t allow for women in the country illegally to apply for citizenship if they work with law enforcement in a domestic violence investigation. Republicans believe the provision would be used for amnesty, while Democrats believe those victims wouldn’t come forward to report abuse in fear of deportation.
“The statistics of domestic violence are alarming, yet, domestic violence remains one the most under-reported crimes in the country,” Cardin added in the statement. “These victims need to know that they have our support, including access to justice, help with housing, medical care, and economic opportunity.”
According to state statistics one in four women will be the victim of domestic violence in their lifetime. In 2009, there were more than 18,500 reported cases of domestic abuse and 38 fatalities in Maryland.
In Montgomery County, police spokeswoman Angela Cruz provided the following statistics for domestic incidents for 2006 to 2011:
|
Year |
Homicide |
Rape |
Robbery |
Aggravated Assault |
Simple Assault |
Other Sex Crimes |
Total |
|
2006 |
1 |
25 |
7 |
79 |
815 |
15 |
942 |
|
2007 |
2 |
19 |
9 |
80 |
743 |
13 |
866 |
|
2008 |
0 |
11 |
2 |
131 |
612 |
10 |
766 |
|
2009 |
0 |
11 |
3 |
158 |
588 |
11 |
771 |
|
2010 |
0 |
18 |
4 |
74 |
658 |
5 |
759 |
|
2011 |
1 |
19 |
4 |
64 |
601 |
14 |
703 |
|
Total |
4 |
103 |
29 |
586 |
4017 |
68 |
4807 |
Here are the statistics for the number of domestic arrests for 2006 to 2011:
|
Year |
Homicide |
Rape |
Robbery |
Aggravated Assault |
Simple Assault |
Other Sex Crimes |
Total |
|
2006 |
1 |
6 |
5 |
49 |
229 |
8 |
298 |
|
2007 |
1 |
8 |
3 |
42 |
209 |
2 |
265 |
|
2008 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
60 |
177 |
7 |
249 |
|
2009 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
75 |
155 |
7 |
243 |
|
2010 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
42 |
178 |
2 |
232 |
|
2011 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
36 |
150 |
6 |
197 |
|
Total |
2 |
31 |
17 |
304 |
1098 |
32 |
1484 |
Debra Carrington
8:10 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I am opposed & have dealt with domestic violence but the responsibility must be first with woman/man being abused to use existing laws to protect themselves and exit the situation. "We the people....ARE BROKE!!" Can no longer afford to clean up the mess made by individual's personal problems such as partner choice. Need to shift social accountability back to communities, churches, family and individuals.
Esther D
11:59 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I am so happy that you were able to get away from your abuser. If you read about a recent death regarding a female in Kensington who used her resorces and in the end failed her she was killed, maybe you can retract your statement "...clean up the mess made by individuals personal problems such as partner choice." Some people do not believe they have choices. Consider reaching out to women shelters and sharing your story of overcoming abuse. Show their is hope and you are not worthless. Every situation is different, not everyone grew up in the same living room.
Theresa Defino
1:05 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I suggest you learn what the law is actually about. It has been in effect since 1994. And the funding is LESS than in previous years. Saying you have "dealt with domestic violence" to spread disinformation about a very helpful and needed law is sad. Personal responsibility isn't abdicated under the law.
http://nadler.house.gov/press-release/nadler-chastises-republicans-rejecting-increase-funding-grants-under-violence-against
Rachel
4:32 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
You do not state to which extent you have dealt with d/v, but I assure you that the more resources available the better. There are some good resources available, but at times even these resources aren't enough; if they were there would be no push for this act. To blame domestic violence on the victim is shocking, and a solution or reasoning such as "partner choice" is over simplified in my opinion.
Esther D
11:43 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
We the people (is a generalization) and that does not speak for me. To pay for tax liquor, 5 cents for plastic bags and buy cigarettes at ($6-$8) that are killing people and making the insurance companies rich. I can find some money in my COUCH to support this! Everyone deserves a abuse free life!
Theresa Defino
1:10 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=152788258
Esther D
1:18 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
@Theresa thank you for the links. I can appreciate your input on this thread. Educating is key to make awareness.
Theresa Defino
1:22 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Esther, the way the comments get posted it could appear that I was responding to you. I was not, I was responding to Debra, the first poster, so I just wanted to clarify that. Thanks for your comment back to me. And I agree!
Esther D
1:51 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Theresa, I am aware they were not and I took them as informative and that is why I was thanking you. If you get any other links or updates feel free to post. I would be interested.