We are very pleased to announce our new partnership with its Sister Alliance in the United Kingdom through the Home Office Domestic Violence Team. The Sister Alliance is named the Corporate Alliance Against Domestic Violence UK and participating companies include The Body Shop International, Vodaphone, AOL/Time Warner, KPMG, the BBC, and the National Health Service (NHS) -- the largest employer in Europe with over 1.3 million employees. The Alliance Chair is Baroness Scotland QC, who is also Chair for the Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence.
The Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence is a leading force in the fight against intimate partner violence and its effects on the workplace. It is the only national organization of its kind founded by business leaders and focused on the workplace. Since 1995, the Alliance has brought together dozens of progressive companies who exchange information, collaborate on projects, and use their influence to instigate change. The Alliance offers extensive research, policy knowledge and issue expertise to the business community, including training, program guidance, and crisis consultation – with programs designed to make the workplace safe and to prevent intimate partner violence from impacting the workplace.
CAEPV has member and associate organizations reaching over one million employees across the United States. Corporate members include Altria Group, Inc., American Express, ADM, Avon Products, Inc., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Shield of California Foundation, CIGNA, COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services, Eastman Kodak, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Legal Momentum, Lifetime Television, Liz Claiborne Inc., Mary Kay Inc., Northern Trust, RAND, State Farm Insurance Companies, Verizon Communications, Verizon Wireless, and The Wireless Foundation.
Internationally, the Corporate Alliance Against Domestic Violence UK joins the United Nations Population Fund/Turkey and the Office of the Status of Women, Commonwealth of Australia as CAEPV member organizations.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Thursday, August 11, 2005
CAEPV To Field First National Survey Regarding Impact of DV On Workplace
Starting last night, we are fielding the first ever national telephone survey asking employed adults about their experiences and attitudes regarding domestic violence as a workplace issue. There have been small studies done, and some studies done with groups of employees whose companies are participating in domestic violence workplace training programs -- but no one has ever asked people across the US before if they have noticed this at work before, and how it has impacted them.
We are not sure what sort of results to expect (since this kind of survey has never been done before) but we look forward to learning what people across the US have to tell us. This is a benchmarking survey, and we intend to repeat it in coming years to measure changes as we hope that more awareness is raised about the issue, and that more companies have programs and resources in place to assist employees who need help.
We thank Park National Bank for joining on as the most recent sponsor of this survey. Park National Bank joins the following companies and organizations sponsoring this benchmarking survey:
Verizon Wireless -- Lead Sponsor
Blue Shield of California Foundation
State Farm Insurance Company
Liz Claiborne Inc.
Mary Kay Inc.
We are not sure what sort of results to expect (since this kind of survey has never been done before) but we look forward to learning what people across the US have to tell us. This is a benchmarking survey, and we intend to repeat it in coming years to measure changes as we hope that more awareness is raised about the issue, and that more companies have programs and resources in place to assist employees who need help.
We thank Park National Bank for joining on as the most recent sponsor of this survey. Park National Bank joins the following companies and organizations sponsoring this benchmarking survey:
Verizon Wireless -- Lead Sponsor
Blue Shield of California Foundation
State Farm Insurance Company
Liz Claiborne Inc.
Mary Kay Inc.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
October 11, 2005 Set for "It's Time To Talk Day"
Liz Claiborne Inc, Marie Claire, and Verizon Wireless will partner nationally to sponsor the second annual "It's Time to Talk Day" on Tuesday, October 11, 2005.
The idea behind "It's Time to Talk Day" is simple -- it is designed to be a day on which Americans nationwide will be urged to talk about domestic violence -- in classrooms, offices, homes, coffeehouses. . . anywhere people gather.
To see examples of what was done in 2004, check out the "It's Time To Talk Day" page on the CAEPV web site to see what CAEPV members did together in Central Illinois.
The idea behind "It's Time to Talk Day" is simple -- it is designed to be a day on which Americans nationwide will be urged to talk about domestic violence -- in classrooms, offices, homes, coffeehouses. . . anywhere people gather.
To see examples of what was done in 2004, check out the "It's Time To Talk Day" page on the CAEPV web site to see what CAEPV members did together in Central Illinois.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Oregon Lawmakers Ensure Help For Domestic Violence Victims A Phone Call Away
Eugene, Oregon --Victims of domestic violence no longer have to worry about having their phone service cut off because of overdue bills. Starting September 1st, a new law requires phone companies to put victims of domestic violence on payment plans rather discontinue service, giving the abused a vital safety link.
To qualify for a payment plan, victims must have a court-issued protective order and make regular payments. Phone companies are not required to extend service to those who won't pay at all. The program provides only local service. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, passed both chambers by a wide margin.
Approval brought a feeling of relief to Cheryl O'Neill, the executive director of Womenspace, a Eugene-based shelter and support service for domestic violence victims. O'Neill began pushing for the law six years ago when she worked at the Domestic Violence Clinic of Lane County Legal Aid, helping clients go to court for protective orders to keep abusive ex-partners at bay.
One of O'Neill's clients had recently moved out of an abusive relationship and obtained a restraining order, but could not afford phone service. "Both she and I had contacted the phone company, asking them to let her make payments on the overdue bill so that she would have the safety line of a phone," O'Neill said. "At the phone company I was told it was illegal for them to make such an agreement."
O'Neill said people leaving abusive relationships often have financial problems — such as no credit history, too little income and overdue phone bills — that prevent them from getting phone service.
Yet, O'Neill says, they need phone service to call police, to contact friends and other supporters, to look for housing and jobs, to reach out for help from 24-hour crisis lines, to check on children at school, to call their lawyers.
O'Neill's client could not summon help when her abusive ex-partner showed up at her home. He raped her, and then committed suicide in front of her. "I've been carrying that woman around with me all these years. You know that sinking feeling? You reach out to catch something that's falling and you miss," she said. "I felt I still had a duty to her." (Source: Associated Press)
To qualify for a payment plan, victims must have a court-issued protective order and make regular payments. Phone companies are not required to extend service to those who won't pay at all. The program provides only local service. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, passed both chambers by a wide margin.
Approval brought a feeling of relief to Cheryl O'Neill, the executive director of Womenspace, a Eugene-based shelter and support service for domestic violence victims. O'Neill began pushing for the law six years ago when she worked at the Domestic Violence Clinic of Lane County Legal Aid, helping clients go to court for protective orders to keep abusive ex-partners at bay.
One of O'Neill's clients had recently moved out of an abusive relationship and obtained a restraining order, but could not afford phone service. "Both she and I had contacted the phone company, asking them to let her make payments on the overdue bill so that she would have the safety line of a phone," O'Neill said. "At the phone company I was told it was illegal for them to make such an agreement."
O'Neill said people leaving abusive relationships often have financial problems — such as no credit history, too little income and overdue phone bills — that prevent them from getting phone service.
Yet, O'Neill says, they need phone service to call police, to contact friends and other supporters, to look for housing and jobs, to reach out for help from 24-hour crisis lines, to check on children at school, to call their lawyers.
O'Neill's client could not summon help when her abusive ex-partner showed up at her home. He raped her, and then committed suicide in front of her. "I've been carrying that woman around with me all these years. You know that sinking feeling? You reach out to catch something that's falling and you miss," she said. "I felt I still had a duty to her." (Source: Associated Press)
Friday, July 29, 2005
California Attorney General Finds System Fails Victims, Families
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer released a report this week revealing that the criminal justice system is failing to enforce California's domestic violence laws. Joined by statewide leaders, Lockyer called for implementation of 5 key recommendations to reduce domestic abuse and challenged local law enforcement and judicial officers to increase and improve their efforts to stop the cycle of family violence."The laws already on the books should be holding batterers accountable for their violent behavior, but the criminal justice system often fails to enforce them," Lockyer said. "System fatigue is not an excuse for domestic abuse. We are going to shift a culture of complacency into a culture of compliance."The report is based on an extensive two-year assessment by Attorney General Bill Lockyer’s Task Force on Local Criminal Justice Response to Domestic Violence -- a 26-member group of experts and leaders in law enforcement, the courts, victim advocacy, public health and the legislature. Key report findings are:
- California's courts are not issuing restraining orders, even when required under law.
- Many restraining orders that do get issued are never served.
- There is often lax enforcement of restraining orders, especially firearm prohibitions.
- Community-based victim advocates are not used by all prosecuting offices to assist domestic violence victims.
- Attendance at court-ordered programs for batterers is not tracked and many never complete the program.
A serious lack of coordination plagues criminal justice agencies' approach to domestic violence.
"Our report includes disturbing examples of agencies that have failed to respond to domestic violence victims, failed to enforce the law and failed to work in collaboration," said Casey Gwinn, chair of the Attorney General's task force. "Yet, we have also seen firsthand how much can be accomplished when there is strong local leadership and cooperation among agencies."In response to the findings, Lockyer has sponsored several legislative solutions. AB 1288 (Chu), would authorize arraignment courts to prohibit domestic violence defendants from possessing firearms. That bill would also allow local law enforcement to advise a domestic violence victim whether the batterer possesses a firearm, according to a Department of Justice's (DOJ) database. SB 720 (Kuehl), would help ensure that family court restraining orders are entered into Department of Justice's database so that the proof does not rest with victims. Among the report's recommendations:
- Enforce the laws that already exist. Court officials should issue more restraining orders and get them into the system. Batterers must surrender their guns and if they do not, law enforcement must confiscate the weapons.
- Local counties should adopt a successful Long Beach model where family court judges convene informally on an on-going basis with local agency representatives, the District and City Attorneys' offices, court officials, law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations.
- Break down the walls built by a compartmentalized system by co-locating criminal justice and victim service agencies, as has happened at San Diego's Family Justice Center.
- The courts and the programs designed to get batterers to control and change their behavior must consistently impose sanctions on batterers who fail to attend classes.
- Improve computer database systems so that restraining orders get into the system, and so that attendance at required batterer intervention classes are carefully tracked.
"The broad spectrum of interests represented on the task force, from judges to prosecutors to a public defender and from law enforcement to victim advocates, proved to be an asset – we reached consensus on each finding," said Tom Orloff, Alameda County District Attorney and a task force member. "Consensus was achieved because of the compelling testimony provided at the regional hearings and the information obtained from hundreds of practitioners. We all need to improve the way we respond to domestic violence. We need to strengthen our efforts to protect victims, prosecute batterers and stop this devastating crime."Among the report's positive findings is a pilot project in Orange County's domestic violence court to confiscate prohibited firearms. The court subjects all defendants at initial arraignment to a criminal protective order that requires them to surrender their firearms within 24 hours. The court also requires these defendants to contact DOJ, which checks the information in its Automated Firearms System and enforces the firearms prohibition."We have seen far too many domestic violence cases result in tragedy after they entered the criminal justice system," stated Chief Susan Manheimer of the San Mateo Police Department and a task force member. "The task force traveled throughout the state to identify inconsistencies as well as practices that will prevent further tragedies. It is important that our local criminal justice entities work together to strengthen our response to domestic violence and move forward to adopt these findings and recommendations."
"The task force report gives domestic violence advocates an opportunity to discuss its many findings and recommendations with our partners in the criminal justice system," stated Karen Cooper, Board President of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. "As a victim advocate, I especially appreciate that the report addresses reducing the burdens the criminal justice system can place on victims who are already traumatized."The Task Force focused its investigation on 10 target counties, interviewing hundreds of practitioners and holding 6 public hearings to examine how well local criminal justice agencies respond to and deal with domestic violence issues, identify programs that work well and determine how to improve efforts to protect and prevent family violence.Lockyer's decision to appoint the task force was prompted in part by the findings of a study he and Senator Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, commissioned to determine the effectiveness of laws and practices aimed at reducing domestic violence.
Published in June 2003, the 51-page Senate Office of Research report showed that while California has taken critical steps to protect domestic violence victims, a comprehensive assessment of those efforts was still needed.Domestic violence statistics collected by DOJ show California local law enforcement agencies received 186,439 domestic violence-related calls for assistance in 2004. During that same year, there were 169 murders committed as a result of intimate partner violence and 46,353 adults and juveniles were arrested for spousal abuse under Penal Code section 273.5.Additional information about the Attorney General's efforts to combat domestic violence and copies of Keeping the Promise – Victim Safety and Batterer Accountability are available at the Attorney General's Crime and Violence Prevention Center web site at www.safestate.org/domesticviolence. (Source: California Attorney General's Office)
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
New York Mayor Bloomberg Opens First New York Family Justice Center
July 20, 2005 -- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today opened New York City's first Family Justice Center located in downtown Brooklyn, cutting the ceremonial ribbon accompanied by Avon Foundation President Kathleen Walas, actress/producer and Avon spokesperson Salma Hayek and U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women Director Diane M. Stuart. At the Center, professionals from 37 community partners and nine government agencies will provide an array of necessary services to domestic violence victims. For example, with only one visit, victims may meet with a prosecutor, access social services, begin long term counseling, and meet with a clergy member - all in their native language. The Center anticipates helping approximately 7,000 adults and 14,000 children each year, and is the first of 15 centers to open nationwide as part of a U.S. Department of Justice initiative.
"Domestic violence often leaves victims physically, financially and emotionally devastated," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The Family Justice Center will be a place where domestic violence victims will be able to find the essential services they need under one roof in a supportive, comfortable and understanding environment. We want domestic violence survivors to know that the process of recovery and a new life can begin here."
"The Avon Foundation Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program launched a year ago, and we awarded one of our first grants to the Family Justice Center," stated President, Avon Foundation Kathleen Walas. "We are proud to be members of the Founders' Circle, and extend our gratitude to the dozens of agencies whose collaboration made this Center a reality. We invite other foundations and corporations to join us and help continue the unique vision of hope that the Center represents."
"It is an honor to take part in the opening of the Family Justice Center, which I hope will be the first of many," said Ms. Hayek. "We cannot tolerate a world in which one in three women is a victim of domestic violence, and for the past year I have worked with Avon on the new Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Individuals, companies like Avon, the government and domestic violence organizations working together can break the cycle of domestic violence."
The Family Justice Center received a $725,000 grant from The Founders' Circle, a diverse group of foundations and corporate citizens who were the first to commit financially to the Center,including: the Avon Foundation, Altria Corporate Services, Cisco Systems, Inc., Dell, Inc., Dr. Joy to the World Foundation, Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation, Lifetime Television, United Way of New York City and Verizon Wireless, New York Metro Region. Additional funding is provided through in- kind donations from the City and community partners, and more than $1.2 million in a Federal grant.
Also joining the Mayor at the opening were Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, Deputy Mayor Carol Robles-Roman, , Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner Yolanda B. Jimenez, New York City Police Department Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt.
"Domestic violence often leaves victims physically, financially and emotionally devastated," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The Family Justice Center will be a place where domestic violence victims will be able to find the essential services they need under one roof in a supportive, comfortable and understanding environment. We want domestic violence survivors to know that the process of recovery and a new life can begin here."
"The Avon Foundation Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program launched a year ago, and we awarded one of our first grants to the Family Justice Center," stated President, Avon Foundation Kathleen Walas. "We are proud to be members of the Founders' Circle, and extend our gratitude to the dozens of agencies whose collaboration made this Center a reality. We invite other foundations and corporations to join us and help continue the unique vision of hope that the Center represents."
"It is an honor to take part in the opening of the Family Justice Center, which I hope will be the first of many," said Ms. Hayek. "We cannot tolerate a world in which one in three women is a victim of domestic violence, and for the past year I have worked with Avon on the new Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Individuals, companies like Avon, the government and domestic violence organizations working together can break the cycle of domestic violence."
The Family Justice Center received a $725,000 grant from The Founders' Circle, a diverse group of foundations and corporate citizens who were the first to commit financially to the Center,including: the Avon Foundation, Altria Corporate Services, Cisco Systems, Inc., Dell, Inc., Dr. Joy to the World Foundation, Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation, Lifetime Television, United Way of New York City and Verizon Wireless, New York Metro Region. Additional funding is provided through in- kind donations from the City and community partners, and more than $1.2 million in a Federal grant.
Also joining the Mayor at the opening were Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, Deputy Mayor Carol Robles-Roman, , Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner Yolanda B. Jimenez, New York City Police Department Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Companies Support Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
The Avon Foundation -- The Avon Foundation continues their "Speak Out Against Domestic Violence" campaign with "Speak Out Against Domestic Violence - Let Congress Hear Your Voice!" They are encouraging individuals to join Salma Hayek and Avon in the campaign to raise awareness and Speak Out Against Domestic Violence. Anyone can stop by the Avon Let's Talk Beauty Tour and sign a card that will be shared with Congress supporting the reauthorization of VAWA. The Avon Let's Talk Beauty Tour will collect signature Cards in support of VAWA all summer and fall until the bill is passed, and will present these petition cards to Congress. In addition, on July 19, Avon Foundation President Kathleen Walas will accompany Salma Hayek to Washington DC as Ms. Hayek testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of VAWA.
Lifetime Television -- Lifetime Television has an Action Center in the Stop Violence Against Women Section of their website at http://www.lifetimetv.com/community/olc/violence/vawa.html to explain how individuals can become involved in the reauthorization of VAWA. Lifetime has also created FREE stickers for the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence to distribute -- and an email postcard is in the works that can be used to encourage people to contact their Members of Congress and urge them to vote for reauthorization. If you would like stickers, you can contact Cheryl O’Donnell at NNEDV at (202) 543-5566.
Liz Claiborne Inc. -- CEO Paul R. Charron wrote a letter to Senator Arlen Specter, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, encouraging reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Quoting from a portion of his letter, Mr. Charron said, "Domestic violence is a high priority concern for Liz Claiborne Inc. It not only impacts us as a business, as we experience the consequences of domestic violence on our employees, but it affects us on a personal level as well. We are a member of the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence and have spearheaded a company-wide campaign to fight domestic violence. Liz Claiborne Inc. offers an environment of support in the workplace, where we can accommodate flexible hours for domestic violence victims to seek safety and protection."
Mary Kay Inc. -- Mary Kay Independent National Sales Directors drove their pink Cadillacs in front of the Capitol Building to symbolize the strong commitment of Mary Kay Inc. and its 650,000 Independent Beauty Consultants in the U.S. to ending domestic violence and enhancing the original bill. The National Sales Directors wore their purple national sales director suits by St. John -- fitting because purple also is the color that is symbolic of the fight against domestic violence. "Renewal of this legislation is critical if our nation is to continue to improve the criminal and civil judicial response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking," said Anne Crews, vice president of government relations at Mary Kay (Anne Crews is also vice president of CAEPV's Board of Directors). "One in three women in the U.S. today will be the victim of violence during her lifetime."
Lifetime Television -- Lifetime Television has an Action Center in the Stop Violence Against Women Section of their website at http://www.lifetimetv.com/community/olc/violence/vawa.html to explain how individuals can become involved in the reauthorization of VAWA. Lifetime has also created FREE stickers for the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence to distribute -- and an email postcard is in the works that can be used to encourage people to contact their Members of Congress and urge them to vote for reauthorization. If you would like stickers, you can contact Cheryl O’Donnell at NNEDV at (202) 543-5566.
Liz Claiborne Inc. -- CEO Paul R. Charron wrote a letter to Senator Arlen Specter, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, encouraging reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Quoting from a portion of his letter, Mr. Charron said, "Domestic violence is a high priority concern for Liz Claiborne Inc. It not only impacts us as a business, as we experience the consequences of domestic violence on our employees, but it affects us on a personal level as well. We are a member of the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence and have spearheaded a company-wide campaign to fight domestic violence. Liz Claiborne Inc. offers an environment of support in the workplace, where we can accommodate flexible hours for domestic violence victims to seek safety and protection."
Mary Kay Inc. -- Mary Kay Independent National Sales Directors drove their pink Cadillacs in front of the Capitol Building to symbolize the strong commitment of Mary Kay Inc. and its 650,000 Independent Beauty Consultants in the U.S. to ending domestic violence and enhancing the original bill. The National Sales Directors wore their purple national sales director suits by St. John -- fitting because purple also is the color that is symbolic of the fight against domestic violence. "Renewal of this legislation is critical if our nation is to continue to improve the criminal and civil judicial response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking," said Anne Crews, vice president of government relations at Mary Kay (Anne Crews is also vice president of CAEPV's Board of Directors). "One in three women in the U.S. today will be the victim of violence during her lifetime."
Monday, July 11, 2005
Family Justice Center Opens in Alameda County, California
On July 11, the Family Justice Center in Alameda County, California opens. The Alameda County Family Justice Center will be located at 27th Street and Telegraph Avenue and is a collaboration involving at least 20 public agencies and private nonprofit organizations in an effort to provide "one-stop" services to victims and their families. The Oakland site will bring counselors, medical technicians, social workers, investigators, probation officers, interpreters, career consultants and district attorneys together to help victims. "We've got a tremendous group of people coming together," said Nancy O'Malley, Alameda County's chief assistant to the district attorney. "One of our goals is to provide resources currently not being provided."
Services will range from emergency food and housing to job-placement assistance. There will be specialized resources for elderly, deaf and non-English-speaking residents, O'Malley said. All services will be free and confidential. Located at 27th Street and Telegraph Avenue, the nondescript three-story building is based at the former Alameda County Central Health Clinic, which closed two years ago and fell into disrepair, said Harold Boscovich. Boscovich is a retired director of the victim assistance division of the Alameda County district attorney's office, who is ensuring that every inch of the center's 21,000 square feet is "comfortable and kid-friendly." He's supervising installation of donated furniture and a new coat of paint to replace the peeling brown facade of the center.
"It'll be a family-friendly place," he said. "We're here to help everyone feel more at home."
Marcia Blackstock, executive director of Bay Area Women Against Rape, agrees. "This is a great opportunity to be in close proximity with a variety of services and a wide array of agencies to refer to," she said. She said Women Against Rape staff members will work hand-in-hand with medical technicians and counselors to treat and curb the cycle of violence caused by abuse, whether it's physical, sexual or verbal. By becoming more of a "hands-on advocate," Blackstock hopes her staff will help thousands of victims through the Byzantine process of cops, courts and counseling.
Lt. Mike Yoell, commander of Oakland Police Department's Special Victims section, said his unit will continue to work on cases, ranging from physical abuse to child prostitution, at the new location. Often victims have difficulty finding time or transportation to meet with investigators, and become discouraged with the lengthy red tape process. Now police officers, district attorneys and numerous nonprofit legal advocates will be able to offer assistance to those who need it. But what if victims don't want to get involved with the police? "They don't have to," Yoell said, emphasizing victims' wishes are paramount.
Much effort has been made to ensure the safety and anonymity of victims, with tinted windows at the facility, on-site police surveillance and at least half a dozen sheriff's deputies and police available at all times. Parents with children in tow can get counseling, fill out forms or call friends and family without fear, said O'Malley. "The Alameda Family Justice Center will be a safe and comfortable location where they can be helped," she said.
More than 25,000 cases of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect were reported last year in Alameda County, according to the Alameda County Child Abuse Prevention Council. Services for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and other forms of mistreatment were "long overdue" Boscovich said. "It affects all of us," he said, noting the center's comprehensive approach to victims. "We'll be here for anyone who needs help."
Services will range from emergency food and housing to job-placement assistance. There will be specialized resources for elderly, deaf and non-English-speaking residents, O'Malley said. All services will be free and confidential. Located at 27th Street and Telegraph Avenue, the nondescript three-story building is based at the former Alameda County Central Health Clinic, which closed two years ago and fell into disrepair, said Harold Boscovich. Boscovich is a retired director of the victim assistance division of the Alameda County district attorney's office, who is ensuring that every inch of the center's 21,000 square feet is "comfortable and kid-friendly." He's supervising installation of donated furniture and a new coat of paint to replace the peeling brown facade of the center.
"It'll be a family-friendly place," he said. "We're here to help everyone feel more at home."
Marcia Blackstock, executive director of Bay Area Women Against Rape, agrees. "This is a great opportunity to be in close proximity with a variety of services and a wide array of agencies to refer to," she said. She said Women Against Rape staff members will work hand-in-hand with medical technicians and counselors to treat and curb the cycle of violence caused by abuse, whether it's physical, sexual or verbal. By becoming more of a "hands-on advocate," Blackstock hopes her staff will help thousands of victims through the Byzantine process of cops, courts and counseling.
Lt. Mike Yoell, commander of Oakland Police Department's Special Victims section, said his unit will continue to work on cases, ranging from physical abuse to child prostitution, at the new location. Often victims have difficulty finding time or transportation to meet with investigators, and become discouraged with the lengthy red tape process. Now police officers, district attorneys and numerous nonprofit legal advocates will be able to offer assistance to those who need it. But what if victims don't want to get involved with the police? "They don't have to," Yoell said, emphasizing victims' wishes are paramount.
Much effort has been made to ensure the safety and anonymity of victims, with tinted windows at the facility, on-site police surveillance and at least half a dozen sheriff's deputies and police available at all times. Parents with children in tow can get counseling, fill out forms or call friends and family without fear, said O'Malley. "The Alameda Family Justice Center will be a safe and comfortable location where they can be helped," she said.
More than 25,000 cases of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect were reported last year in Alameda County, according to the Alameda County Child Abuse Prevention Council. Services for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and other forms of mistreatment were "long overdue" Boscovich said. "It affects all of us," he said, noting the center's comprehensive approach to victims. "We'll be here for anyone who needs help."
Monday, June 27, 2005
Supreme Court Rules That Police Cannot Be Sued For How They Enforce Restraining Orders
The Supreme Court ruled on June 27 that police cannot be sued for how they enforce restraining orders, ending a lawsuit by a Colorado woman who claimed police did not do enough to prevent her estranged husband from killing her three young daughters. Jessica Gonzales did not have a constitutional right to police enforcement of the court order against her husband, the court said in a 7-2 opinion. Gonzales contended that police did not do enough to stop her estranged husband, who took the three daughters from the front yard of her home in June 1999 in violation of a restraining order. Hours later Simon Gonzales died in a gunfight with officers outside a police station. The bodies of the three girls, ages 10, 9 and 7, were in his truck. Gonzales argued that she was entitled to sue based on her rights under the 14th Amendment and under Colorado law that says officers shall use every reasonable means to enforce a restraining order. She contended that her restraining order should be considered property under the 14th Amendment and that it was taken from her without due process when police failed to enforce it.
''The restraining orders are not worth anything unless police officers are willing to enforce them. They are just paper,'' said Brian Reichel, the attorney for Gonzales. ''If nothing else this case has shined the spotlight on a very important issue.''
Castle Rock, Co., police contend they tried to help Gonzales. Police twice went to the estranged husband's apartment, kept an eye out for his truck and called his cellular phone and home phone.Gonzales reached him on his cell phone, and he told her that he had taken the girls to an amusement park in nearby Denver. Gonzales contends that police should have gone to the amusement park or contacted Denver police. The case is Castle Rock, Colo., v. Gonzales, 04-278. To read the full ruling, go to http://www.supremecourtus.gov. (Source: Associated Press)
''The restraining orders are not worth anything unless police officers are willing to enforce them. They are just paper,'' said Brian Reichel, the attorney for Gonzales. ''If nothing else this case has shined the spotlight on a very important issue.''
Castle Rock, Co., police contend they tried to help Gonzales. Police twice went to the estranged husband's apartment, kept an eye out for his truck and called his cellular phone and home phone.Gonzales reached him on his cell phone, and he told her that he had taken the girls to an amusement park in nearby Denver. Gonzales contends that police should have gone to the amusement park or contacted Denver police. The case is Castle Rock, Colo., v. Gonzales, 04-278. To read the full ruling, go to http://www.supremecourtus.gov. (Source: Associated Press)
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Employer hired security, but victim was killed at home
SYMMES TWP. - Trustees at the Clermont County Public Library were so fearful for Bonnie Speece's safety after her husband threatened her with a gun on June 5 that they hired an off-duty deputy to stand guard outside the Batavia building 12 hours a day, the director said.
Colleagues comforted one another Monday at work, a day after Speece, 54, the library's human resources coordinator for six years, was gunned down outside her Symmes Gate Lane condominium. Sheriff's officials said Benton French Speece, a 54-year-old self-employed home builder who was out of jail after posting a $20,000 cash bond in the earlier incident, fired the fatal shots about 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
Then he sped off to his apartment at nearby Harper's Point and shot himself. Benton Speece never appeared at the library earlier this month. But that was little comfort to director Leslie Massey, who worked closely with Bonnie Speece and considered her a friend. "I thought that he would follow through," Massey said. "He had some craziness going on. Obviously, the man was very unbalanced. Certainly all of us that cared about Bonnie were very concerned." On Monday, a bouquet of cut flowers lay as a memorial in the driveway where Bonnie Speece died. The couple's daughters, ages 23 and 11, were gone from the home. Sheriff's detectives continued to investigate the deaths.
Court records show that violence had escalated in the couple's 26-year marriage since January, when they separated, and that Bonnie Speece had done what she could to keep him away. He kept coming back. "This is a real sad one. Because it does appear to look like there were a lot of signs that this was a dangerous guy. And, he was doing the classic signs we see - escalating his behavior," said Ann MacDonald, executive director of the Rape Crisis & Abuse Center of Hamilton County. MacDonald said Bonnie Speece took all the right steps to get out of an abusive relationship, from filing for divorce, to seeking protective orders through the court, and calling police when things got out of hand.
In an application for a civil protective order that was granted through domestic relations court on May 4, Bonnie Speece listed several incidents since January, including threats of suicide and that he would "trash our condo, set fire to the funds in his 401K and bury me in debt." In a late January incident, Bonnie Speece said her husband dragged her out of the car, threw her in the snow and ripped off half of her clothes after a dinner together. He let her put her clothes back on after she quit fighting him. About a week after she filed for divorce in May, Bonnie Speece and her husband attended a marriage counseling session and had planned to depart separately. Benton Speece, however, hid in her car outside the medical office building, and surprised her when she got into her car. She ran to a security guard for help, her affidavit said.
On June 4, a day before Bonnie Speece accused her husband of pulling a gun on her, he ran after their 11-year-old daughter, threw her on the floor and kicked her in the back during an argument, the affidavit said. "He justified his actions and refused counseling," Bonnie Speece wrote.
She also had a protective order issued June 5 through Hamilton County Municipal Court, where Benton French Speece was being prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and aggravated menacing for taking a gun out of a shopping bag, pointing it at Bonnie Speece and threatening to kill her. "He told me that he was going to kill me, then kill himself," Bonnie Speece described the encounter in court documents. "I started talking to him about dropping the divorce action and telling him what he wanted to hear about the marriage. He placed the gun back in the bag and we talked for a while. When he left, I called police." Benton Speece spent the night at the Hamilton County Justice Center, but was released June 6 after he appeared in municipal court and posted the $20,000 cash bond that Judge Heather Russell set at an arraignment. The bond was far above the $1,500 bond that is called for in a guide that municipal judges use for misdemeanor cases. Russell was not available Monday, so it was unclear how much she knew about Benton Speece's past. Lawyers representing the Speeces in the divorce action and the criminal case either could not be reached or declined to comment.
A new law that goes into effect in August requires judges to consider several factors when setting bond in a domestic violence case, including whether the suspect has a history of domestic violence or other violent acts, the suspect's mental health and whether the suspect is a threat to any other person. Under current law, a judge is required to determine whether a suspect charged with domestic violence violated a protection order or has a prior conviction for domestic violence. Speece had none.
Amy Rezos, a West Chester mother after whom the law is named, wasn't sure Amy's law could have stopped what happened Sunday. "Amy's law is not something that's there to keep it from happening altogether. God, I wish it would. But I think they would have gotten more information on him before they did let him out," Rezos said. Meanwhile, the library administration is trying to put together a memorial service for Bonnie Speece, possibly on Wednesday, Massey said. It will provide an opportunity for her co-workers to share their grief and seek some closure, she said. "The reactions ranged from shock to anger to can't believe it happened to just being devastated," Massey said. "It's just a horrible situation."
Colleagues comforted one another Monday at work, a day after Speece, 54, the library's human resources coordinator for six years, was gunned down outside her Symmes Gate Lane condominium. Sheriff's officials said Benton French Speece, a 54-year-old self-employed home builder who was out of jail after posting a $20,000 cash bond in the earlier incident, fired the fatal shots about 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
Then he sped off to his apartment at nearby Harper's Point and shot himself. Benton Speece never appeared at the library earlier this month. But that was little comfort to director Leslie Massey, who worked closely with Bonnie Speece and considered her a friend. "I thought that he would follow through," Massey said. "He had some craziness going on. Obviously, the man was very unbalanced. Certainly all of us that cared about Bonnie were very concerned." On Monday, a bouquet of cut flowers lay as a memorial in the driveway where Bonnie Speece died. The couple's daughters, ages 23 and 11, were gone from the home. Sheriff's detectives continued to investigate the deaths.
Court records show that violence had escalated in the couple's 26-year marriage since January, when they separated, and that Bonnie Speece had done what she could to keep him away. He kept coming back. "This is a real sad one. Because it does appear to look like there were a lot of signs that this was a dangerous guy. And, he was doing the classic signs we see - escalating his behavior," said Ann MacDonald, executive director of the Rape Crisis & Abuse Center of Hamilton County. MacDonald said Bonnie Speece took all the right steps to get out of an abusive relationship, from filing for divorce, to seeking protective orders through the court, and calling police when things got out of hand.
In an application for a civil protective order that was granted through domestic relations court on May 4, Bonnie Speece listed several incidents since January, including threats of suicide and that he would "trash our condo, set fire to the funds in his 401K and bury me in debt." In a late January incident, Bonnie Speece said her husband dragged her out of the car, threw her in the snow and ripped off half of her clothes after a dinner together. He let her put her clothes back on after she quit fighting him. About a week after she filed for divorce in May, Bonnie Speece and her husband attended a marriage counseling session and had planned to depart separately. Benton Speece, however, hid in her car outside the medical office building, and surprised her when she got into her car. She ran to a security guard for help, her affidavit said.
On June 4, a day before Bonnie Speece accused her husband of pulling a gun on her, he ran after their 11-year-old daughter, threw her on the floor and kicked her in the back during an argument, the affidavit said. "He justified his actions and refused counseling," Bonnie Speece wrote.
She also had a protective order issued June 5 through Hamilton County Municipal Court, where Benton French Speece was being prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and aggravated menacing for taking a gun out of a shopping bag, pointing it at Bonnie Speece and threatening to kill her. "He told me that he was going to kill me, then kill himself," Bonnie Speece described the encounter in court documents. "I started talking to him about dropping the divorce action and telling him what he wanted to hear about the marriage. He placed the gun back in the bag and we talked for a while. When he left, I called police." Benton Speece spent the night at the Hamilton County Justice Center, but was released June 6 after he appeared in municipal court and posted the $20,000 cash bond that Judge Heather Russell set at an arraignment. The bond was far above the $1,500 bond that is called for in a guide that municipal judges use for misdemeanor cases. Russell was not available Monday, so it was unclear how much she knew about Benton Speece's past. Lawyers representing the Speeces in the divorce action and the criminal case either could not be reached or declined to comment.
A new law that goes into effect in August requires judges to consider several factors when setting bond in a domestic violence case, including whether the suspect has a history of domestic violence or other violent acts, the suspect's mental health and whether the suspect is a threat to any other person. Under current law, a judge is required to determine whether a suspect charged with domestic violence violated a protection order or has a prior conviction for domestic violence. Speece had none.
Amy Rezos, a West Chester mother after whom the law is named, wasn't sure Amy's law could have stopped what happened Sunday. "Amy's law is not something that's there to keep it from happening altogether. God, I wish it would. But I think they would have gotten more information on him before they did let him out," Rezos said. Meanwhile, the library administration is trying to put together a memorial service for Bonnie Speece, possibly on Wednesday, Massey said. It will provide an opportunity for her co-workers to share their grief and seek some closure, she said. "The reactions ranged from shock to anger to can't believe it happened to just being devastated," Massey said. "It's just a horrible situation."
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
CAEPV’s GirlsAllowed.org RECEIVES “WEBBY WORTHY” DISTINCTION
The Webby Awards, the leading international honor for web sites, recognized CAEPV’s GirlsAllowed.org website as “Webby Worthy,” a distinction made for the first time this year to recognize sites exhibiting remarkable achievement.
Hailed as the “Online Oscars” by Time Magazine, The Webby Awards are determined by The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global organization with a membership that includes musician David Bowie, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, The Body Shop president Anita Roddick, “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening, Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser, and fashion designer Max Azria.
“The Webby Awards honors the outstanding web sites that are setting the standards for the Internet,” said Tiffany Shlain, creative director and founder of the Webby Awards. “GirlsAllowed’ Webby Worthy selection is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators.”
Said Kim Wells, executive director of the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (CAEPV), “We are honored to be recognized by such a distinguished judging panel against such outstanding competition. We are proud of the GirlsAllowed.org site because it helps young girls build a foundation for healthy relationships at such a critical time in their lives. When we add new ‘webisodes,’ we strive to bring relevance, greater understanding and confidence to our target audience of girls, ages 11-14.”
Added Wells, “Without the vision and creativity of the team at Media Options, and the leadership of our GirlsAllowed.org sponsors, young girls wouldn’t have tools like GirlsAllowed.org to help them through the difficult pre-adolescent and adolescent years.”
The 9th Annual Webby Awards received a record number of entries from more than 40 countries and all 50 states. Winners were announced on May 3, 2005 and honored at a gala event in New York’s landmark Gotham Hall on June 6, 2005.
Founded in 1996, the Webby Awards are known worldwide for their famous five-words-or-less acceptance speeches.
About GirlsAllowed.org
GirlsAllowed.org is an animated web site for girls 11 to 14. It is designed to engage girls as “allowed” (welcome) and “aloud” (having a voice) with a focus on helping girls learn to identify healthy and unhealthy relationships before becoming involved in potentially abusive relationships. The program features an animated teen friend named “Anni” whose “space” is the center for information, activities, games and life lessons. Each weekday, a new animated "life lesson" (one of a series of 70) appears on the website, giving girls the opportunity to follow stories involving various people in Anni's life—stories about body image, dating pressures, being a good listener, handling conflict, and of course, identifying healthy and unhealthy relationships. To find out more, visit www.girlsallowed.org
About The Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence
GirlsAllowed.org was created by the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (CAEPV), a leading force in the fight against partner violence through education. CAEPV was the first national non-profit organization founded by and comprised of business leaders to address intimate partner violence by leveraging the strength and resources of the corporate community. CAEPV believes that business plays an essential role in raising awareness of the issue and that their sustained efforts will help reduce and ultimately eliminate partner violence. To find out more about CAEPV, go to www.caepv.org.
About Media Options, Inc.
Media Options, Inc. developed the GirlsAllowed.org website for CAEPV. Media Options, Inc. is a Chicago-based company with offices in Los Angeles. Founded in 1982, the company today is a leading developer of innovative education programs in interactive, web, DVD and print media for not-for-profits, professional organizations and corporations who want to reach their important internal and external audiences most effectively. For more information about Media Options, go to www.mediaop.com.
About the Webby Awards
Called the “Oscars of the Internet” by the New York Times, the Webby is the leading international award honoring excellence in Web design, creativity, usability and functionality. Established in 1996, the 9th Annual Webby Awards received more than 4,000 entries from all 50 states and over 40 countries worldwide. The Webby Awards are presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Sponsors and Partners of the Webby Awards include: The Creative Group; Adweek, Brandweek and Mediaweek magazines; IDG; Fortune and FSB; 2advanced Studius; The Online Publishing Association; PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Rackspace Managed Hosting. For more information, visit www.webbyawards.com.
Hailed as the “Online Oscars” by Time Magazine, The Webby Awards are determined by The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global organization with a membership that includes musician David Bowie, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, The Body Shop president Anita Roddick, “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening, Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser, and fashion designer Max Azria.
“The Webby Awards honors the outstanding web sites that are setting the standards for the Internet,” said Tiffany Shlain, creative director and founder of the Webby Awards. “GirlsAllowed’ Webby Worthy selection is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators.”
Said Kim Wells, executive director of the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (CAEPV), “We are honored to be recognized by such a distinguished judging panel against such outstanding competition. We are proud of the GirlsAllowed.org site because it helps young girls build a foundation for healthy relationships at such a critical time in their lives. When we add new ‘webisodes,’ we strive to bring relevance, greater understanding and confidence to our target audience of girls, ages 11-14.”
Added Wells, “Without the vision and creativity of the team at Media Options, and the leadership of our GirlsAllowed.org sponsors, young girls wouldn’t have tools like GirlsAllowed.org to help them through the difficult pre-adolescent and adolescent years.”
The 9th Annual Webby Awards received a record number of entries from more than 40 countries and all 50 states. Winners were announced on May 3, 2005 and honored at a gala event in New York’s landmark Gotham Hall on June 6, 2005.
Founded in 1996, the Webby Awards are known worldwide for their famous five-words-or-less acceptance speeches.
About GirlsAllowed.org
GirlsAllowed.org is an animated web site for girls 11 to 14. It is designed to engage girls as “allowed” (welcome) and “aloud” (having a voice) with a focus on helping girls learn to identify healthy and unhealthy relationships before becoming involved in potentially abusive relationships. The program features an animated teen friend named “Anni” whose “space” is the center for information, activities, games and life lessons. Each weekday, a new animated "life lesson" (one of a series of 70) appears on the website, giving girls the opportunity to follow stories involving various people in Anni's life—stories about body image, dating pressures, being a good listener, handling conflict, and of course, identifying healthy and unhealthy relationships. To find out more, visit www.girlsallowed.org
About The Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence
GirlsAllowed.org was created by the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (CAEPV), a leading force in the fight against partner violence through education. CAEPV was the first national non-profit organization founded by and comprised of business leaders to address intimate partner violence by leveraging the strength and resources of the corporate community. CAEPV believes that business plays an essential role in raising awareness of the issue and that their sustained efforts will help reduce and ultimately eliminate partner violence. To find out more about CAEPV, go to www.caepv.org.
About Media Options, Inc.
Media Options, Inc. developed the GirlsAllowed.org website for CAEPV. Media Options, Inc. is a Chicago-based company with offices in Los Angeles. Founded in 1982, the company today is a leading developer of innovative education programs in interactive, web, DVD and print media for not-for-profits, professional organizations and corporations who want to reach their important internal and external audiences most effectively. For more information about Media Options, go to www.mediaop.com.
About the Webby Awards
Called the “Oscars of the Internet” by the New York Times, the Webby is the leading international award honoring excellence in Web design, creativity, usability and functionality. Established in 1996, the 9th Annual Webby Awards received more than 4,000 entries from all 50 states and over 40 countries worldwide. The Webby Awards are presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Sponsors and Partners of the Webby Awards include: The Creative Group; Adweek, Brandweek and Mediaweek magazines; IDG; Fortune and FSB; 2advanced Studius; The Online Publishing Association; PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Rackspace Managed Hosting. For more information, visit www.webbyawards.com.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Liz Claiborne Study Finds Abuse Common Among Dating Teens
According to a study released Thursday, more than half of America’s teens know friends who have experienced physical, sexual or verbal abuse in their dating relationships. Among those surveyed, 13 percent of teenage girls, admit to being physically injured or hit and one in four report being pressured to perform oral sex or engage in intercourse, according to the survey by the private research group Teenage Research Unlimited.
“There is a lot to be said about the cycle of violence and there’s a lot of research that shows that violence is a learned behavior,” said Jane Randel a vice president at Liz Claiborne Inc., the company that underwrote the study. According to Randel, while research has shown that patterns of domestic violence among teens parallel those among adults, little is being done to educate America’s youth. “Parents are very willing to talk to their kids about drugs and sex and things, but this is an issue that kind of goes right over,” she said. According to the study, teenage dating abuse extends across the nations’s suburbs, cities, regions and ethnic groups.
The "Love Is Not Abuse" study, which used data collected from online surveys among 300,000 registered participants aged 13 to 18, showed only two-thirds of teens, boys and girls, say they would know what to do if a friend asked for help about an abusive relationship.
To help shed some light on the issue, Liz Claiborne, which has been involved in domestic abuse programs since 1991, is sponsoring a new curriculum in schools. The pilot program is a three day course developed by the non-profit Education Development Center (EDC). It will first be offered in nine schools representing a cross-section of the nation’s economy. “The goal of getting the research and the curriculum for us is to try and reach out to these kids when they are first forming their relationships, before they get to be adults so that they understand the issue,” said Randel. The “Love is Not Abuse Curriculum ” is aimed at 14-year-old 9th graders to help prevent growing incidence of physical and verbal abuse and sexual pressure within their age group. The program, to be offered in either health or English classes, is also designed to help establish a support system for those teens in abusive relationships. For more information, visit www.loveisnotabuse.com.
“There is a lot to be said about the cycle of violence and there’s a lot of research that shows that violence is a learned behavior,” said Jane Randel a vice president at Liz Claiborne Inc., the company that underwrote the study. According to Randel, while research has shown that patterns of domestic violence among teens parallel those among adults, little is being done to educate America’s youth. “Parents are very willing to talk to their kids about drugs and sex and things, but this is an issue that kind of goes right over,” she said. According to the study, teenage dating abuse extends across the nations’s suburbs, cities, regions and ethnic groups.
The "Love Is Not Abuse" study, which used data collected from online surveys among 300,000 registered participants aged 13 to 18, showed only two-thirds of teens, boys and girls, say they would know what to do if a friend asked for help about an abusive relationship.
To help shed some light on the issue, Liz Claiborne, which has been involved in domestic abuse programs since 1991, is sponsoring a new curriculum in schools. The pilot program is a three day course developed by the non-profit Education Development Center (EDC). It will first be offered in nine schools representing a cross-section of the nation’s economy. “The goal of getting the research and the curriculum for us is to try and reach out to these kids when they are first forming their relationships, before they get to be adults so that they understand the issue,” said Randel. The “Love is Not Abuse Curriculum ” is aimed at 14-year-old 9th graders to help prevent growing incidence of physical and verbal abuse and sexual pressure within their age group. The program, to be offered in either health or English classes, is also designed to help establish a support system for those teens in abusive relationships. For more information, visit www.loveisnotabuse.com.
Friday, June 03, 2005
Husband Kills Wife, Self In Front Of Her Workplace - Apparently Angry Over Pending Divorce
The Ashland, Kentucky community reacted with shock to the apparent murder-suicide of a married couple the morning of June 1st on a downtown street in Ashland. Donald Price, 49, and Kimberly Price, 40 died of apparent gunshot wounds in the 400-block of 21st Street near Winchester Avenue outside the Studio 21 Salon and Spa where police say Kimberly Price worked. Witnesses heard gunshots at about 8:15 a.m. at the corner of Winchester Avenue and 21st Streets, according to police. Police arrived soon thereafter and found two bodies with gunshot wounds lying on the sidewalk, the police reported. The shooting appears to be a murder-suicide resulting from a domestic dispute, said Capt. Todd Kelley, patrol division commander with the Ashland Police Department. Reports indicated Donald Price was angry about his pending divorce.
Police recovered a .45 caliber handgun from the scene. The woman was pronounced dead on the scene while the man was transferred to Kings Daughter’s Medical Center in Ashland where he later died, Kelley said.
No one at the hair salon where Kimberly Price worked as a receptionist would comment on the incident. Donald and Kimberly Price were seen fighting on the street corner just before the shooting, other witnesses said. Ashland resident Sandy Riley, a receptionist at a nearby doctor’s office, said she heard an altercation just outside her officer and saw the man and woman struggling with each other. She said she went back in her work and heard someone scream, "He has got a gun." "Within seconds, there were gunshots," Riley said.
Jo Ann Colvin saw the man who police now say was Donald Price sitting in a Chevrolet Impala parked next to Goodwill a little after 7:30 a.m. Colvin, a Catlettsburg resident, works at the Goodwill store across the street from Studio 21 at the corner of 21st Street and Winchester Avenue. She didn’t recognize the car or the man and found his being parked outside Goodwill so early suspicious. "I saw a car backed up and a guy inside reading a newspaper," Colvin said. "That was unusual. I know our regular customers." Donald Price rented the car and parked in Goodwill’s parking lot to wait for his estranged wife, Kelley said.
It is important to note that in cases of domestic violence, the most dangerous time for a victim is when they are in the process of leaving or have left the relationships. In cases of homicide connected with domestic violence, 75% of the time, the victim had left or was in the process of leaving the relationship. This situation is another indicator of just how dangerous and deadly that situation can be.
Police recovered a .45 caliber handgun from the scene. The woman was pronounced dead on the scene while the man was transferred to Kings Daughter’s Medical Center in Ashland where he later died, Kelley said.
No one at the hair salon where Kimberly Price worked as a receptionist would comment on the incident. Donald and Kimberly Price were seen fighting on the street corner just before the shooting, other witnesses said. Ashland resident Sandy Riley, a receptionist at a nearby doctor’s office, said she heard an altercation just outside her officer and saw the man and woman struggling with each other. She said she went back in her work and heard someone scream, "He has got a gun." "Within seconds, there were gunshots," Riley said.
Jo Ann Colvin saw the man who police now say was Donald Price sitting in a Chevrolet Impala parked next to Goodwill a little after 7:30 a.m. Colvin, a Catlettsburg resident, works at the Goodwill store across the street from Studio 21 at the corner of 21st Street and Winchester Avenue. She didn’t recognize the car or the man and found his being parked outside Goodwill so early suspicious. "I saw a car backed up and a guy inside reading a newspaper," Colvin said. "That was unusual. I know our regular customers." Donald Price rented the car and parked in Goodwill’s parking lot to wait for his estranged wife, Kelley said.
It is important to note that in cases of domestic violence, the most dangerous time for a victim is when they are in the process of leaving or have left the relationships. In cases of homicide connected with domestic violence, 75% of the time, the victim had left or was in the process of leaving the relationship. This situation is another indicator of just how dangerous and deadly that situation can be.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Murder-Suicide At Owensboro Kentucky Target Store
A Daviess County Kentucky man fatally shot a worker he saw with his ex-wife outside a Target department store on May 31 and then killed himself, police said. Doug Ritchie, 51, of Owensboro, an employee of the Target store, was shot once in the back of the head and once in the left side with a 12-gauge shotgun, said Owensboro Patrolman Doug Esther, a spokesman for the police department. Esther said Robin D. Blair, 41, shot Ritchie and then shot himself in the face outside the Target store. Blair believed that Ritchie and Blair's ex-wife were involved in a relationship, Esther said.
Police arrived to find the bodies of Blair and Ritchie, he said. Blair had seen Ritchie standing outside the store with Blair's ex-wife, Traci Blair, around 2:21 p.m. CDT, Esther said. The Blairs were divorced in November. Police said Blair had borrowed a neighbor's vehicle and had driven to the store before firing two shots at Ritchie. Traci Blair called 911, Esther said. "It's upsetting, and certainly not something you would expect to happen in Owensboro," Esther said. "However this type of incident can happen anywhere, if it can happen here."
Police arrived to find the bodies of Blair and Ritchie, he said. Blair had seen Ritchie standing outside the store with Blair's ex-wife, Traci Blair, around 2:21 p.m. CDT, Esther said. The Blairs were divorced in November. Police said Blair had borrowed a neighbor's vehicle and had driven to the store before firing two shots at Ritchie. Traci Blair called 911, Esther said. "It's upsetting, and certainly not something you would expect to happen in Owensboro," Esther said. "However this type of incident can happen anywhere, if it can happen here."
South Carolina Domestic Violence Law Finally Goes To Governor
A criminal domestic violence bill that went largely unnoticed this legislative session until a lawmaker’s controversial remarks won easy approval Wednesday. The House, which first passed the bill last month, agreed in a voice vote to minor changes made by the Senate and sent it to Governor Mark Sanford for his signature. Sanford is “strongly inclined” to sign the bill, spokesman Will Folks said. If the bill becomes law, it will go into effect January 1, 2006.
Victim advocates were delighted by the passage of the bill, which calls for mandatory minimum sentences for more serious offenses and higher fines. South Carolina in recent years has ranked No. 1 in the rate of women killed by men. “I think we will move our state (below) the top 10 in the nation in domestic violence homicides,” said Vicki Bourus, director of the S.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. “I know it will save lives,” said Laura Hudson, spokeswoman for the S.C. Victim Assistance Network.
But Columbia lawyer Kathrine Hudgins, president of the S.C.Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, doesn’t believe the bill will deter domestic violence. “What we need to do to help people is to get them into treatment programs, not throw them into jail,” she said. “As a general principle, mandatory minimums don’t solve the problem.” The bill calls for mandatory minimum sentences of 30 days for second offenses, and one year for third and subsequent offenses and criminal domestic violence of a high and an aggravated nature. It also sets minimum fines for first and second offenses at $1,000 and $2,500, respectively, and makes third and subsequent offenses felonies. “I’m very pleased with the enhanced penalties,” said David Pascoe, the solicitor for Orangeburg, Calhoun and Dorchester counties. “(A third offense) needs to be a felony.”
The bill is a revised version of a bill initially sponsored by Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg. That bill languished in the House until April, when Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston, uttered what critics said were insensitive remarks about domestic violence victims during a House Judiciary Committee meeting and to a female WIS television reporter. Altman’s comments made national news and prompted lawmakers to take a renewed interest in the bill. Efforts after Wednesday’s vote to reach Altman, a co-sponsor of the revised bill, were unsuccessful. Cobb-Hunter, who took her name off the revised bill, contending it had become too politicized, said Wednesday she was happy it passed. She praised House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, and Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, for their leadership. “If they had chosen not to get behind it, it wouldn’t have happened,” she said.
Victim advocates were delighted by the passage of the bill, which calls for mandatory minimum sentences for more serious offenses and higher fines. South Carolina in recent years has ranked No. 1 in the rate of women killed by men. “I think we will move our state (below) the top 10 in the nation in domestic violence homicides,” said Vicki Bourus, director of the S.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. “I know it will save lives,” said Laura Hudson, spokeswoman for the S.C. Victim Assistance Network.
But Columbia lawyer Kathrine Hudgins, president of the S.C.Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, doesn’t believe the bill will deter domestic violence. “What we need to do to help people is to get them into treatment programs, not throw them into jail,” she said. “As a general principle, mandatory minimums don’t solve the problem.” The bill calls for mandatory minimum sentences of 30 days for second offenses, and one year for third and subsequent offenses and criminal domestic violence of a high and an aggravated nature. It also sets minimum fines for first and second offenses at $1,000 and $2,500, respectively, and makes third and subsequent offenses felonies. “I’m very pleased with the enhanced penalties,” said David Pascoe, the solicitor for Orangeburg, Calhoun and Dorchester counties. “(A third offense) needs to be a felony.”
The bill is a revised version of a bill initially sponsored by Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg. That bill languished in the House until April, when Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston, uttered what critics said were insensitive remarks about domestic violence victims during a House Judiciary Committee meeting and to a female WIS television reporter. Altman’s comments made national news and prompted lawmakers to take a renewed interest in the bill. Efforts after Wednesday’s vote to reach Altman, a co-sponsor of the revised bill, were unsuccessful. Cobb-Hunter, who took her name off the revised bill, contending it had become too politicized, said Wednesday she was happy it passed. She praised House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, and Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, for their leadership. “If they had chosen not to get behind it, it wouldn’t have happened,” she said.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Winston-Salem, Wachovia, and Sara Lee to participate in campaign to prevent domestic violence
The city of Winston-Salem, Wachovia and Sara Lee are participating in a campaign to prevent domestic violence by encouraging male employees to mentor younger men. The program is called Founding Fathers and was created by the Family Violence Prevention Fund, Mayor Allen Joines said while announcing the program yesterday at City Hall. The public is also encouraged to participate. Joines said he has long felt that domestic violence is a problem in Forsyth County. There were more than 4,000 domestic-violence cases reported in the county last year, he said. "This program targets men in a positive way," he said. Men will be encouraged to become "Founding Fathers" by signing a declaration that they will treat others with decency and respect and teach boys that violence does not equal strength.
The public is invited to attend an opening celebration for Founding Fathers from noon to 2 p.m. June 17 at Corpening Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem. Skip Pros-ser, the coach of the men's basketball team at Wake Forest University, will attend along with elected officials. In addition to signing the declaration, men who become Founding Fathers will be urged to mentor boys. Wachovia is providing money for the local Founding Fathers program. Among the officials at the news conference were District Attorney Tom Keith; Sheriff Bill Schatzman; Sylvia Oberle, the director of the Center for Community Safety; and Al Renna, the president of Family Services in Forsyth County.
Renna said he hopes that the program will encourage men to teach boys that violence against women is not acceptable. We learn lots of things in our families ... and unfortunately in some families we learn how to be violent," he said. "As we know, men can become tremendous models for their children." A study done for the Center for Community Safety, which is affiliated with Winston-Salem State University, showed that 80 percent of domestic-violence victims in Forsyth County court cases were female. Defendants had an average of eight prior charges and five prior convictions for offenses other than minor traffic violations. More than 70 percent of the defendants had at least one prior domestic-violence charge, the study showed. More information is available online at www.endabuse.org.
The public is invited to attend an opening celebration for Founding Fathers from noon to 2 p.m. June 17 at Corpening Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem. Skip Pros-ser, the coach of the men's basketball team at Wake Forest University, will attend along with elected officials. In addition to signing the declaration, men who become Founding Fathers will be urged to mentor boys. Wachovia is providing money for the local Founding Fathers program. Among the officials at the news conference were District Attorney Tom Keith; Sheriff Bill Schatzman; Sylvia Oberle, the director of the Center for Community Safety; and Al Renna, the president of Family Services in Forsyth County.
Renna said he hopes that the program will encourage men to teach boys that violence against women is not acceptable. We learn lots of things in our families ... and unfortunately in some families we learn how to be violent," he said. "As we know, men can become tremendous models for their children." A study done for the Center for Community Safety, which is affiliated with Winston-Salem State University, showed that 80 percent of domestic-violence victims in Forsyth County court cases were female. Defendants had an average of eight prior charges and five prior convictions for offenses other than minor traffic violations. More than 70 percent of the defendants had at least one prior domestic-violence charge, the study showed. More information is available online at www.endabuse.org.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Verizon Wireless To Provide Free AMBER Alerts
CAEPV Member Verizon Wireless announced on Tuesday that it will provide free Wireless AMBER Alerts - or short TXT messages with information about abducted children - to its customers who opt in. Wireless AMBER Alerts will be distributed in cooperation with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and local law enforcement agencies. The alerts will appear as TXT messages on a customer's wireless handset and will include information about the abducted child and a telephone number to call to report any information on that child. "Mobile service plays such a constant role in people's lives, and Wireless AMBER Alerts is another example of how critical information can reach you on your wireless phone," said Denny Strigl, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless. Verizon Wireless customers with handsets capable of receiving TXT messages must choose to receive Wireless AMBER Alerts on those handsets. They can opt in by going to www.verizonwireless.com.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Avon Foundation Unveils Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Bracelet
Here is a great opportunity to show your fashion sense and raise funds and awareness for domestic violence! Order the new Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Bracelet available soon from Avon Sales Representatives nationwide and at www.avonfoundation.org. The adjustable bracelet is periwinkle blue rubber with silvertone plate engraved "Speak Out." The price is just $3.00, with $2.00 donated to the Avon Foundation Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program to support education, awareness and prevention programs, and services for victims. Each bracelet comes with an informative domestic violence brochure, which is also available in printable format at www.avonfoundation.org. To order the bracelet, see your Avon Representative, or go to http://shop.avon.com/avonshop/default.asp?couponCode=&level1_id=195&level2_id=196&pdept_id=198&pf_id=8434&level=3. It is a great way to make a statement against domestic violence without saying a word.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Verizon Wireless Announces Launch of Spanish Language Short Film About Issues Facing Latino Teens
Verizon Wireless recently announced the national release of UBICATE!(TM) (Find Yourself!), the first educational short film in Spanish addressing the complex issues Latino teens face in developing healthy relationships. Funding for the national distribution of the film on Mother's Day is provided through a donation from Verizon Wireless' signature domestic violence prevention program, HopeLine(R). The topics explored in this remarkable short film include serious issues like: a young Latina teen who is in an abusive relationship and thinks she might be pregnant; the underlying sexism of a conflict between brother and sister in a family; the cultural divide between a Latino teen and his parents; and a teen struggling with issues at home who turns to friends with risky behavior. The film was produced by St. Paul, Minn.-based Casa de Esperanza, a non-profit domestic violence prevention agency that conducts national training for other non-profit agencies that receive federal funds.
The Latino population has tripled in the last decade; so have the unique challenges facing Latino youth. According to Casa de Esperanza research, Latino teens have had the highest teen birth rate in the nation since 1994 at 97.4 per 1,000, nearly double the national rate of 52.3 per 1,000. The Latino high school dropout rate is 2.5 times the rate for African Americans and 3.5 times the rate for non-Latino whites. "Verizon Wireless' support helped us produce the short film, and now the company is assisting us to create awareness about this project on a national basis," said Lupe Serrano, executive director of Casa de Esperanza. "Our aim is to expand a dialogue within the Latino community, and among Latino teens. Sending our message on a family-oriented holiday like Mother's Day, is especially appropriate."
"Verizon Wireless is fully committed to supporting domestic violence prevention programs and related initiatives," said Oscar Madrid, Verizon Wireless' associate director - national multicultural marketing. "We believe that UBICATE!(TM) will provide a valuable and much-needed tool for educators, non-profit agencies and the news media to address relationship issues faced by Latino teenagers and their families and provide important messages about family, peer and dating relationships."
The film was developed with input from Latino teens about the issues they face - from dating violence to communicating with parents to sexism within families. Casa de Esperanza's research indicates this is the first Spanish-language film specifically geared to facilitate youth discussion on these issues. Two-time Grammy-winning band Ozomatli provided two songs used in the short film free of charge. Besides the music from the eclectic Los Angeles-based band, the film also contains other music relevant to Latino teens, including Reggeaton and Hip-Hop.
Limited copies of UBICATE!(TM) are being distributed free of charge to public schools, non-profit domestic violence prevention agencies, and the news media in the United States, on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To receive a copy, please send your request on official letterhead to: Casa de Esperanza:
P.O. Box 75177
St. Paul, MN 55175
Additional copies can be purchased from Casa de Esperanza. For more information call Casa de Esperanza at the following number: 651-646-5553 or visit their official Web site: www.casadeesperanza.org.
The Latino population has tripled in the last decade; so have the unique challenges facing Latino youth. According to Casa de Esperanza research, Latino teens have had the highest teen birth rate in the nation since 1994 at 97.4 per 1,000, nearly double the national rate of 52.3 per 1,000. The Latino high school dropout rate is 2.5 times the rate for African Americans and 3.5 times the rate for non-Latino whites. "Verizon Wireless' support helped us produce the short film, and now the company is assisting us to create awareness about this project on a national basis," said Lupe Serrano, executive director of Casa de Esperanza. "Our aim is to expand a dialogue within the Latino community, and among Latino teens. Sending our message on a family-oriented holiday like Mother's Day, is especially appropriate."
"Verizon Wireless is fully committed to supporting domestic violence prevention programs and related initiatives," said Oscar Madrid, Verizon Wireless' associate director - national multicultural marketing. "We believe that UBICATE!(TM) will provide a valuable and much-needed tool for educators, non-profit agencies and the news media to address relationship issues faced by Latino teenagers and their families and provide important messages about family, peer and dating relationships."
The film was developed with input from Latino teens about the issues they face - from dating violence to communicating with parents to sexism within families. Casa de Esperanza's research indicates this is the first Spanish-language film specifically geared to facilitate youth discussion on these issues. Two-time Grammy-winning band Ozomatli provided two songs used in the short film free of charge. Besides the music from the eclectic Los Angeles-based band, the film also contains other music relevant to Latino teens, including Reggeaton and Hip-Hop.
Limited copies of UBICATE!(TM) are being distributed free of charge to public schools, non-profit domestic violence prevention agencies, and the news media in the United States, on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To receive a copy, please send your request on official letterhead to: Casa de Esperanza:
P.O. Box 75177
St. Paul, MN 55175
Additional copies can be purchased from Casa de Esperanza. For more information call Casa de Esperanza at the following number: 651-646-5553 or visit their official Web site: www.casadeesperanza.org.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Murder Risk Much Higher In Workplaces Allowing Guns
A study by the University of North Carolina has found that workplace policies that allow employees to carry guns are more lethal than those that prohibit weapons, Forbes.com reported April 27. The report, published in the May issue of the American Journal of Public Health, compared workplaces that allow employees to carry weapons and those that don't. It found that murders are three times more likely to occur in workplaces where employees may carry weapons, and the risk doubles when the weapon is a gun. The study compared 87 cases in which employees were killed at workplaces in North Carolina between 1994 and 1998 and 177 comparable sites where there were no murders. "We don't know employers' reasons for allowing workers to have guns on the job, but the belief that firearms offer protection against crime is obviously a possible motive," said researcher Dana Loomis, a professor of epidemiology and member of the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center. "However, our data suggest that, like residents of households with guns who are more likely to be victims of homicide, workers in places where the employer allows guns have a greater chance of being killed at work." "In light of these findings, employers should question the risks and benefits of permitting firearms," Loomis said.
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