Violence Stirs World for Women Victims!

Ever since Cain and Abel, violence has been viewed as "unacceptable". An educated public is an enlightened public. Let those Dark Ages cease for all time.

(SALEM) - The subject of "violence" resurfaced in the recent Newtown massacre of innocent children. However, as a society we have yet to adequately address Violence Against Women. It can no longer be surreptitiously swept under the rug.

A Mar. 7 signing by the President of a revised Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) can mark a crucial turning point. Public awareness of its provisions still remains shallow.

Let us call upon each Member of Congress to host a Town Hall on this very subject. That could be the platform to spell out its protections and the community resources available. These are the specific questions to be answered:

We wonder what demographics indicate on a state-by-state basis in terms of arrests and follow-up convictions. Which state has the most appeals pending in such DV cases?

It would be mighty helpful to identify which state best champions the rights of women victims, and which ones find themselves at the bottom of the list in that category.

Finally, to all victims the need for social supports is crucial. Mental health networks geared to trauma treatment are vital. Peer support groups enhance the process. Even the question of allowing "time off" to tackle the legal issues without fear of job loss needs to be factored in. Ever since Cain and Abel, violence has been viewed as "unacceptable". An educated public is an enlightened public.

Let those Dark Ages cease for all time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: A former Oregon NASW board member, Lee Coyne is a retired psychiatric social worker. He has dealt with numerous DV survivors striving to move forward with their lives. (RSVP to notcoy@netzero.net)

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NOTE: B. Lee Coyne first emerged as a Caucasian cub reporter for the Black weekly NY Voice and was assigned to cover numerous civil rights struggles. It has left its indelible mark on his mindset. He can be contacted at: notcoy@netzero.net.

B. Lee Coyne, a NYC native, blends three careers: Journalist, Counselor, Educator. His writings have appeared in newspapers and magazines on the East and West Coasts and the Southwest. He loves the art of the interview and has covered such persons as Dr. King's 1963 "Dream" speech and Sen. William

Proxmire as an advocate for the environment. A global traveller to some 30 countries aboard, he speaks Spanish semi-fluently and very rudimentary Russian, Tagalog, German, Arabic and Hebrew.

Lee's legacy here in Salem includes launching the Salem Peace Mosaic at the YMCA and doing a radio talk show for KMUZ/88.5 FM. It airs Mondays and highlights lives of proactive, productive senior citizens. He invites you to contact him at: notcoy@netzero.net.