Fighting Domestic Violence in the Ocean State - The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The House recently reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act, which is great news for victims of sexual and domestic violence. This new bill is stronger than the older version, which was enacted in 1994, in that it both creates and expands federal programs that help victims of sexual and domestic violence. In addition to re-establishing provisions of the older law pertaining to sexual and domestic violence, it provides newly established legal protections for LGBT victims of sexual and domestic violence and Native American women. The bill also includes provisions for documented and undocumented immigrant domestic violence victims. For example, documented immigrant victims who are married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, can now petition for independent legal status so that they are not forced to remain in an abusive relationship with the partner who initially provided sponsorship. VAWA also has a visa option for undocumented immigrants in abusive relationships.
(More on News at IsLAWS.com, contact Adam for interviews “adama@laws-info.com”)
Since 1994, the Violence Against Women Act has provided a holistic approach to dealing with the problems of sexual and domestic violence. One of the manners it did this was by changing how the criminal justice system responded to sexual and domestic violence. It required, for example, that regardless of a victim’s income level, victims are not required to pay for service of a protection order or for their own rape exam.
VAWA required that a victim’s protection order be recognized by every state and territory in the United States, and helped increase prosecution and conviction rates by assisting communities in developing dedicated law enforcement units that dealt with victims of sexual and domestic violence.
The Violence Against Women Act also continues to provide funding for the training of over half a million prosecutors, law enforcement officers and judges annually so that they are better equipped to respond to the victims of sexual and domestic violence. Rape victims were more empowered to talk to police and prosecutors about being sexually assaulted after the bill created the “rape shield law,” which meant that during a rape trial, the defense for the rapist may not use a victim’s sexual behavior in the past against them.
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) was formed in 1979 with the goal of putting an end to domestic violence in Rhode Island. The RICADV serves to provide support to the six domestic violence prevention agencies in the state. It advocates both locally and nationally, promotes community organizing in regards to domestic violence prevention and raises awareness about domestic violence.
The following is an interview with Deborah DeBare, executive director of the RICADV, on her thoughts and feelings about the recent reauthorization of VAWA, and the work of her organization in the realm of domestic violence.
In your opinion, what does the recent passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) signify for the women's rights movement?
I think it has been a tremendous milestone. The fact that it has been blocked for the last couple of years was troubling, but the fact that it went through swiftly a few weeks ago shows clear signs of progress.
Do you believe the new version of VAWA goes far enough to protect women against domestic violence?
I think the most important thing is that it got passed. This is the strongest version yet, and I don't think we will ever know if VAWA went far enough until domestic violence is eradicated.
The new version of VAWA includes historic provisions for Native American Women and members of the LGBT community. Do you think the law as passed represents a step in the right direction for American Indian women and LGBT people in the United States?
Absolutely! These were a couple of the stumbling blocks, and it seemed imperative that VAWA protects all victims regardless of sexual identity, or whether or not they are Native American. I actually witnessed the signing and the woman who introduced Vice President Biden, Diane Millich, was a Native American of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and she shared her story about marrying a non-Indian man who moved to her reservation and abused her, but the tribal authorities could not prosecute him because he was not Indian. The only reason he was ever prosecuted by the federal government was because when he had fired a bullet meant for her, he accidently hit and injured a non-Indian! If the new VAWA was law at the time, her tribe would have had the ability to arrest her abuser.
What has your organization been able to achieve in terms of advancing the cause of domestic violence victims in the state of Rhode Island?
We have developed a comprehensive network of victims’ services, shelters, transitional housing, counseling and support services in every corner of the state. We also established a comprehensive program for law enforcement.
Do you believe Rhode Island has come a long way since the initial passage of VAWA in 1994?
Absolutely! There is a world of difference now, and there has been a change in the commitment of the legal system in its response to domestic violence.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, please contact the RICADV for help. For more information on domestic violence, please visit the Domestic Violence Page.
Comments
Must Read
5 Things You Need to Know About Domestic ViolenceThe Definition of Domestic ViolenceDomestic Violence is defined as abuse enacted by one or both partners involved within a romantic relationship; amongst the most common examples of domestic violence can include enacting physical assault, the posing of threats, emotional abuse, or sexual abuse undertaken within the realm of a romantic partnership.
5 Tips to Identify Emotional AbuseUnderstanding Emotional AbuseEmotional Abuse is a nature of abuse undertaken through verbal, speech-based harassment; signs of Emotional Abuse can include expressions considered to be insulting, demeaning, hurtful, damaging, and harmful in nature.
Understanding the Different Types of AbuseUnderstanding the Various Types of AbuseWithin the realm of abuse and domestic violence, a wide range of tragic and damaging Types of Abuse exist; although the various Types of Abuse may differ with regard to both the activity, victims, and circumstances, the end result of abuse and domestic violence is uniform; the individual or individuals victimized by abuse undergoes devastation, damage, injury, and pain:The fact that varying Types of Abuse exist may allow for certain elements of confusion with regard to individuals unsure of whether or not they are being abused; while the identification of physical abuse is amongst the most identifiable Types of Abuse, emotional, mental, psychological – and even sexual abuse – can be more difficult to detect by friends and family membersIn many cases, the testimony of the abused victim is the primary identifier of abuse that is not classified as ‘physical’; unfortunately, non-physical Types of Abuse that are not reported may go untreated or unresolvedThreats are defined as the unlawful, conditional expressions of criminal or negative recourse contingent on the behavior of the recipient of the threat itself; threats are typically extortive in nature – aggravated threats include threats posed towards the abused partner, which make mention of the prospective enactment of murder, rape, or sever bodily harmCircumstances and Examples of the Varying Types of AbuseWithin circumstances of domestic violence, the following types of abuse are amongst the most commonly-reported:Physical Domestic ViolenceCircumstances of Physical Domestic Violence are types of abuse illustrating domestic violence in its physical form, which may include the mention of physical attacks, assaults, and expressed threats of violence.
10 Urgent Domestic Violence Statistics that You Must KnowWhat are Domestic Violence Statistics?Domestic Violence Statistics are released in order to elucidate the presence of Domestic Violence occurring within modernity, as well as historically; primarily, Domestic Violence Statistics are set forth by various advocacy groups in order to prevent the proliferation of Domestic Violence both through the facilitation of education, as well as awareness of the tragic and damaging nature of this criminal offense.
4 Facts about Abusive RelationshipsThe Definition of Abusive RelationshipsAlthough rarely uniform, Abusive Relationships are defined as unhealthy, damaging, and destructive partnerships involving individuals who are linked in a romantic fashion; despite the varying types of Abusive Relationships, the end result of all Abusive Relationships involves the victimization of one or both partners as a result of abuse.