October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I want to highlight this crucial issue—both the services for those being abused and how we in state government can punish abusers.
Violence against women is inexcusable in any form. Obviously anyone would agree that rape is a heinous act deserving of life in jail. But that is not the most common form of abuse. Much more common is husbands hitting their wives, whether in a heated argument or systematic abuse.
The statistics are scary. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one of every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime; about 1.3 million woman are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year; nearly 7.8 million women have been raped by an intimate partner at some time in their lives; and the national cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services.
People may say, “But surely this does not happen in Shelton or Stratford?” Unfortunately, it happens all too often. In the Greater Bridgeport and Valley areas, over 5,000 cases of abuse were reported last year—and that was only those that were reported. Domestic abuse is a real problem for our communities.
This statistic was shocking to me. Any man who would beat a woman is not a man, in my opinion. I feel we need to raise the awareness of this issue in our community, and make sure everyone knows the services available to help—whether it is you, a sister, a neighbor, or anyone else you know is suffering from physical abuse.
Shelton receives help for the victims of domestic violence and their children from an organization called “The Umbrella”, a program of the Birmingham Group Health Services, Inc. The Valley receives help for the victims of sexual assault from the Rape Crisis Center of Milford, Inc. The Umbrella offers temporary emergency domestic violence shelter, community outreach, and the Antoinette’s Angels Funds to help victims of domestic violence rebuild their lives, a court advocacy program and Latino outreach.
Stratford and Monroe receive help for the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault from an organization called “Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County”, which offers a wide range of programs and services including temporary shelter, counseling service, and legal advice.
If you, or someone you know, is the victim of domestic violence, please do not hesitate to seek help. If you live in Shelton, call The Umbrella 24-hour crisis hotline at 736-9944. The walk-in crisis center located at 435 East Main Street, Ansonia, is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you live in Stratford or Monroe, call the 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 384-9559, or the 24-hour Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Hotline 333-2233.
Education and awareness is critical in the fight against domestic violence and sexual assault – as are preventive services and programs to assist victims and their families. But the General Assembly must also play an important role in protecting the rights of women to lives free from domestic violence.
In the past two years, we have passed several pieces of legislation to punish domestic abusers and sexual predators. I supported or co-sponsored each of the following new laws:
- Expanded courts’ authority to issue protective orders when someone is arrested for committing certain types of sexual assault crimes
- Prohibited people required to register as sexual offenders from changing their names
- Passed “Jessica’s Law” to impose twenty-five year minimum sentences on those convicted of sex crimes against children
- Increased minimum prison sentence for repeat violent offenders convicted of second and third offenses
But there is more we can do to remove criminals from our society. I continue to support a “three strikes” law that would give an automatic life sentence for three violent felonies. And I would support a stricter “two strikes” for murder and rape. I believe that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault would be better able to get on with their lives if they knew that the people who hurt them will never be in a position to hurt them again.
Meanwhile, it is up to all of us to do what we can to help. If you know someone who needs help or need help yourself, please reach out to The Umbrella at 736-9944 or The Center For Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County. Inc. at 334-6154 —they have helped thousands of women, and can help you or your loved ones if you need it.
Dan Debicella is the State Senator representing Stratford, Shelton, Monroe, and Seymour. If you have feedback for him or want to talk about the issues, he can be reached toll-free at (800) 842-1421 or by e-mail at dan.debicella@cga.ct.gov.
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