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PermalinkTuesday, October 27, 2009
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Help for Domestic Violence Victims
Aired 10/27/09
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. We take a look at the issue and also hear from a woman who's created a video to help victims get restraining orders.
A domestic violence forum will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the San Miguel Fire Station. Call 619 337-2039 for more information.
Efforts to help domestic violence survivors have been in the news lately. First we heard that Governor Schwarzenegger was pulling all state funding from domestic violence shelters, as part of emergency state budget cuts. Then, just last week, the Governor signed a bill to restore about 70 percent of that funding, a reprieve for some shelters in California which were about to close. And of course, the state cuts are a symptom of the wider financial recession that is putting greater strain on many families.
It's with this backdrop that we mark October as Domestic Violence Awareness month, at a time when uncertainty and shrinking resources combine to put more families at greater risk. But despite the challenges, the people who are working in the field of keeping families safe are moving forward. Here in San Diego, the Legal Aid society's domestic violence clinic has released a new video on how adults who feel threatened at home can begin the legal process of finding a safe place for themselves and their families.
GUESTS:
Lea Fields-Bernard, attorney and creator of the video, Break the Silence, Stop the Violence
Christine Pangan, attorney and director of Legal Aid's Domestic Violence Clinic
Lana Culliver, domestic violence survivor
Comments
Lettie | October 27, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. ― 2 years, 3 months ago
I listened to your broadcast today, and I was shocked by the callousness of one of the attorneys when commenting on a caller's experience (Cindy). The attorney said that Cindy did not have much experience in court, and needed an attorney to represent her. I am a family friend of Cindy's, and she is a highly educated woman (PhD) who used a VERY well respected and experienced attorney in the North County area. It has taken YEARS and tens of thousands of dollars to get her former husband to leave her alone in peace. It is precisely the attitude of like your "guest attorney" that continues the anguish for those who are abused. I hope your guest attorney never sits on the bench in judgement of others in need and fear. I am truly disappointed the attorney was allowed to make such comments.
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EarlRichards | October 27, 2009 at 11:28 a.m. ― 2 years, 3 months ago
Funding for battered women shelters should have never been vetoed in the first place, because most women are smaller than men.
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susan | October 29, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. ― 2 years, 3 months ago
Dear KPBS Thank you so much for your attention to domestic violence on your recent show. It is important for individuals to recognize when they are being abused, when they need help and how to obtain it. I wanted to clarify that it is not necessary to be physically hurt in order to get a temporary restraining order. The required "abuse" can be verbal or emotional. It can include for example:
Threats, Intimidation, Annoying Phone Calls Stalking Verbal Abuse such as name calling, degrading remarks, mocking, swearing, constant criticism, emotional cruelty Financial abuse-- not allowing victim to work, not purchasing family needs social abuse such as isolating victim from family and friends, monitoring phone calls and mail sexual abuse (see Family Code section 6203)
Waiting for physical harm is not needed. Waiting may make it too late!!
Thank you again for your attention to this important topic. I am a lawyer who works in a domestic violence legal clinic here in San Diego and we all appreciate you.
Susan
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