The Fight Against Domestic Violence
I believe there is a wealth of untapped resources in this country -- lawyers who want to volunteer. Yesterday in Des Moines, I spoke at Creative Visions, a human development center, and unveiled my National Domestic Violence Volunteer Act, which would harness the skills, enthusiasm and dedication of these lawyers and infuse 100,000 new volunteer lawyers into the justice system to represent domestic violence victims. I believe this initiative builds on the best of American ideals -- volunteerism, technology know-how, collaboration between the private and public sectors and our unwavering commitment to justice and service.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the dark scourge of abuse that affects one out of four Americans each year. In Iowa alone in 2006, there were 77,256 calls to the state's domestic violence and sexual assault hotline and more than 23,000 victims of abuse helped by shelters and other service providers. Since 1995, 167 Iowans have been killed in domestic violence situations.
Once a domestic violence victim steps out from the shadow of an abusive relationship, what does she need? Lawyers. Domestic violence victims are in dire need for legal help for everything from obtaining protection orders to arranging child custody to instigating divorce proceedings.
A national survey by the National Network to End Domestic Violence found that in just one 24-hour cycle, more than 5,000 pleas for services, be it emergency shelter, transitional housing or legal aid, were unmet because of a lack of resources. This shortage means that thousands of victims of domestic violence go without legal representation in this country every day. And in fact, reports indicate that fewer than 1 out of every 5 low-income domestic violence victims ever sees a lawyer.
It is vital that a victim have an advocate helping her when she steps out of the abuse for the first time. The very second a battered woman calls the Hotline, reaches out to the police or walks into a courtroom, we need to connect this courageous person with legal assistance. Victims walk out on a limb when they seek help, often risking their personal safety. These first calls for help are critical moments when a victim must feel supported; if she doesn't, she may retreat back into the abuse.
The single, most important legislative accomplishment in my 32-year-old career in the Senate is passing the Violence Against Women Act. After years of work, countless hours of hearings, pages of expert testimony and Senate floor debate, my Act passed in 1994. The law was renewed in 2000 and most recently expanded in 2005 when I worked to include new measures to treat children who witness violence, to increase housing opportunities and to create dedicated resources for rape crisis centers.
Recognizing that campus gates don't keep out abuse, stalking and sexual assault, the Violence Against Women Act also created a special $15 million program for colleges and universities to create campus-wide victim services and security programs. The Act has transformed the way police, prosecutors, judges and advocates tackle domestic violence in their communities, and infused more than $4 billion dollars to state systems to fight violence against women. In 2007 alone, Iowa received $1.3 million for domestic violence programs with police, prosecutors, judges and advocates. But we are not done.
In May, I introduced the National Domestic Violence Volunteer Attorney Network Act, legislation that, for the first time, creates a streamlined national system to recruit and train volunteer lawyers and match them with domestic violence victims. Using the power of the Internet, this nationwide network of attorneys will be coordinated by American Bar Association; statewide legal coordinators would manage legal services in their individual states, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Internet-based services would provide legal referrals to victims. The historic partnership forged in my bill will mean that enthusiastic potential advocates quickly and seamlessly will get linked to training and new clients. And at the same time, desperate victims will be referred to a statewide coordinator and quickly connected to a lawyer. I want to end the frustrating, and often fruitless, task of calling different agencies, offices, or groups, either to volunteer or find a lawyer.
I know the American people are ready to meet the challenges we face here at home and abroad, and I hope you will take a moment to read more about my plan as we all work to put an end to domestic violence.
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Thank you, Senator Biden. As people have already said, many people hear your name and think only of foreign relations. They don't associate you readily with domestic issues, or environmental issues, which you also champion. Best of luck to you.
Senator, the FBI studied the data in the late 1990s and determined that 51% of domestic violence incidents begin with the female landing the first blow. It might not be politically correct, but it is scientific fact: the first thing abusive couples need is separation and intervention to stop a "cycle of abuse" for which BOTH are responsible. To say that women need lawyers to jump in and defend them is to say they are helpless -- encouraging harmful stereotypes. I'm happy to see victims with legal representation, but I am NOT happy to see tired old lies reasserting themselves despite all the evidence of social science.
Abuse is not a "couples issue" and BOTH partners are not responsible for causing abuse. The study you speak of has been debunked over and over. Furthermore, the abuse NEVER begins with "an incident of violence." It always starts with verbal and emotional abuse.
Have you ever heard of Münchhausen syndrome? It's an abusive pattern where a parent abuses their child by making them sick intentionally (poisoning, over medicating etc.) because they're addicted to the attention (and sympathy) from their family, community and medical professionals. Sick, huh? Do you think that putting the child and parent into therapy together would cure Münchhausen?
Abuse is not a relationship issue like child rearing or intimacy. These issues can be solved with negotiation, compromise and love - but can abuse? Would it be ok if he just abused on weekends and in exchange, you can say no to sex on Mondays? Relationship issues can be solved because of goodwill towards each other and true empathy; these people would not be abusers if they had goodwill and empathy. Abuse is not a relationship issue any more than Münchhausen syndrome.
It's not possible that you can behave in a way that will stop an abuser. Believe me, I know how hard this is to truly believe. I tried to stop it. Just like a Münchhausen's parent craves sympathetic attention, abusive men crave power over, and they'll take it from whoever is closest.
I'd also like to add that victims of abuse often do feel helpless - abusers do a thorough job of isolating and demeaning - and when they reach out for help, people often don't believe them or suggest couples therapy. Couples therapy makes abuse WORSE, never better, and it reinforces the idea that it's a couples issue.
It's not.
It's the abuser's fault, period.
Therapy, couples or individual, with a minister, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or any level counselor of ANY KIND, does NOT make a person non-abusive.
There are MANY, MANY studies on this .... the ONLY thing that helps is a certified abuser PROGRAM where abuser's behavior is monitored and controlled daily, group sessions are required, and the person they abuse is interviewed weekly ... and sadly, these programs only have an 8% success rate. But they are the ONLY programs that have a success rate AT ALL.
EIGHT percent of abusers who complete TWO YEARS in an abuser program become non-abusive.
Some of this text was taken from here: http://the
but the stats come from the book "Why Does He Do That?" (which is linked on the same websbite)
Senator Biden has taken a step on an issue that no one wants to touch. I am an attorney whose practice includes family law. One of the biggest societal inequities is the lack of access to legal services to enforce orders of protection and collect unpaid child support. The societal cost of unpaid child support is a staggering number, well over one billion dollars each year. Deadbeats include both dads and moms. Access to legal services for domestic violence follows unpaid support. Unpaid support IS a form of child abuse. Every time I tackle this issue the payor believes that the supported parent/child is sitting on the couch eating Godiva chocolate with the measely $100, $500 or $1000 per month of support owed. Far from it. In over 350 divorce cases I have yet to see a spouse be "overpaid". In fact the opposite is almost always the truth. We the taxpayers then have to step up where the payor parent won't in terms of aid, health care, and housing assistance. It's a shame this is not a central campaign issue. It's not sexy and doesn't involve the military industrial complex so there is no coverage.
If there's one thing Senator Biden knows how to do better than anyone else, it's coming up with solutions that are both ingenius and practical, and, most importanly, like pieces of a puzzle, fit in to an overall program of domestic policies that deal with America's problems by addressing their multi-faceted nature from all sides.
This proposal is but one of many such proposals and pieces of already passed legislation designed to secure and preserve our fundamental decency as a nation and the liberties we all hold so dear.
Providing volunteer lawyers to victims of domestic abuse is just one of the Senator's compelling ideas that, due to the common-sense nature of them, draw broad bi-partisan support in Congress--and, folks, it doesn't matter what a candidate proposes if it can't work its way through both houses of Congress.
From bringing a responsible end to the Iraq war, to hiring 100,000 new teachers and reducing class size, to putting more cops on the street to reduce all types of crime to include domestic violence, to putting together the sort of consensus essential to getting beyond the rhetoric and actually doing something constructive about the challenges we face, Senator Joe Biden has always, does now, and will continue to lead the way forward.
And this is why we are, all of us, fools if we do not put all our efforts behind his run for the Presidency.
Please take some time to visit Senator Biden's campaign web-site, and judge for yourself his sterling set of proposals for rebuilding the middle class, securing our nation, and restoring our rightful place in the world.
joebiden.c
I'm thrilled to see this issue is important to lawmakers. The Bush administration acts just like my former abuser, ad abuse education would help us all deal with such bullies. Most people still believe all the common myths of domestic abuse. Worse, few people can recognize verbal and emotional abuse. 100% of people (both men and women) who are violently abused are verbally abused FIRST. 100% !!
One category of verbal abuse is COUNTERING:
(for simplicity sake the abuser is referred to has "he" in this example)
He counters her memory, her thoughts, and her impressions of life. He declares that what she experiences just isn't so; no matter how absurdly the circumstances prove it's impossible he knows better. Countering maintains power over very effectively. To her, it often seems like his memory of events is clearly different than hers, making her feel crazy.
If we all knew the tactics of a crazymaker, fewer people would fall into the humiliating cycle of abuse. Skilled abusers often pick smart, powerful women because they're far less likely to ask for help -- they can't admit it's happening to them.
If you suspect you're in an emotionally abusive relationship, google "you are not crazy" or "The Wordslinger Game about Verbal Abuse" and learn all you can.
If links are allowed ... it's http://www
http://www
Thank you Senator!
In the early 70's when in my early 20's, I suffered from domestic violence. Bloody noses, cracked ribs, and being thrown from a moving car. I was an intelligent young woman, who called police, to be told there was nothing they could do. I wish that on no one!
Times have changed since then, but at the time, I was threatened with death if I tried to leaave. He was a pre-med student, so it shows there is no boundaries of class that this issue is perpetuated on. His family was wealthy and would not believe me when I told them what he was doing.
I "ESCAPED" the torment by moving out of state where he could not reach me. I was young enough to get over it reasonably and moved on with my life, but still cringe when I hear or think about the suffering that goes on due to this tragedy. I was not his only victim, and it happened to others.
I heard years later that he had gone to prison , but it was not due to violence---it was because of substance abuse. If the police could have intervened back in my days, maybe he could have been kept from hurting so many women. If nothing else, volunteer at battered women's shelters, and realize the trauma that these women are going through. Some are so dehumanized they feel there is no hope and no escape. They do not have the tools or money to escape, in many cases.
And don't forget that men suffer under the same situation. It is becoming more prevalent every year.
Mental health court orders would be beneficial for all parties concerned. After all, mental health, aggression, control and domination concerns lead to this type of behavior.
To the victims, call the first time it happens--do not think it is a one time episode---this behavior will continue and get worse with time. Get out NOW--later may never come. This is not love, no matter how profusely they apologize and say it will never happen again--it will.
Anther example why this guy is the real deal. Smart, prepared, experience
This guy leads on all the issues.
I don't think Biden is under the illusion this is going to solve the problem. He began by introducing and passing the Violence Against Women act, which was an enormous first step, and he's continuing to address the different areas where help is needed. I don't think he'll stop with this.
An excellent post Senator, good work all around. I would only point out that, while women certainly bear the brunt of domestic violence in this country - a fact that is inexcusable and that you deserve much credit for working to change - men experience domestic violence as well, both at the hands of same-sex and opposite-sex partners. Without for a second forgetting, turning attention from or downplaying the inexcusable experiences of so many women in our society who are victims of violence in the home, those working for a solution must also find a way to address the (often under-reported) concerns of men who are victims of violence and sexual assault. That aside, excellent work.
When people think of Joe Biden, they primarily think of his foreign affairs expertise, but he has been a leader in many domestic issues that affect us all. His solutions are generally practical and achievable.
The Senator adresses an important subject.
Might I be so bold as to suggest that the answer is not going to be found by adding more lawyers.
Perhaps Senator Biden will also work to reverse the loss of American manufacturing jobs, the decline of middle-class wages, healthcare and opportunity that is part of what is driving ordinary people into the darkness of domestic abuse.
You are wrong, Paul. Domestic abuse is about control. The abuser seeks to control the partner to improve his (or her) self concept and instill domination over a partner who consciously or unconsciously reaffirms his (or her) weakness. It is a subtle psychological relationship, in which the domineering partner must first take emotional and mental control, which usually is followed by physical control.
Very well articulated, and spot on! Very few people understand abuse completely, and most believe the many myths. National education would go a long way to stopping abuse; starting with the subtle tactics of verbal abuse. Most people would immediately recognize these abusive tactics being used by the Bush administration ...
Biden is right on. One of the first things the police want to know is whether there is a restraining order against the abuser, so there is something for them to enforce. Unless, of course, they catch him beating the daylights out of her. A restraining order comes from a court, and lawyers know how to ask for them. Lawyers can also deal with the issues that cascade from an abuse situation, where if a woman leaves, she may leave behind everything from her prescriptions to bank cards.
He has done more to help women who inhabit this nightmare than any other member of Congress. Battered women are not big campaign contributors, so you know where his heart is.
Against women? This is this century. I have seen many cases where the man in the relationship suffered domestic violence and because of this writing above they are unlikely
to bring it to light. This is the 21th Century
and equal rights. An abusive relationship today
can mean female or male. How about grown children who are violent against parents?
That is also a big area of concern; it is called Elder Abuse. There is a spectrum of abuse across the lifespan.
You have seen "many cases" of men being abused. I have seen none, although I don't doubt that they exist. We each write from our experience. Mine was with a domestic violence shelter. The clients were women and their children. The abusers were men. Women are also the ones who end up with the children in the majority of cases, especially if the children are young.
While the Violence Against Women Act, and the National Domestic Violence Volunteer Act, will not solve all problems of domestic violence, they are a huge step in the right direction. Show me another national politician who has has done more to solve these problems. I applaud Senator Biden for caring about them.
This is one of those issues where we assume the problem has been "taken care of" because it's not as hidden as it once was. Not so as anybody knows who is familiar with a person who's in this terrifying situation.
I commend Biden for studying this problem and deciding how best to help. This plan is a giant leap in making assistance and care more easily available to those in need. Very impressive and urgently needed.
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