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Tell Congress Not To Fund Discrimination And Destruction Of Due Process
Word is now getting out that VAWA is at the root of massive civil
rights violations. Law enforcement programs typically train officials
to think of the victim as "she" and the perpetrator as "he". A
top-ranking judge, when training a class of other judges on how to
handle domestic violence cases, stated:
"Your job is not to become concerned
about all the constitutional rights of the man that you're violating as
you grant a restraining order. Throw him out on the street, give him
the clothes on his back and tell him, 'See ya' around.' We don't have
to worry about the rights."
RADAR's series of reports document that this mentality is typical
of those who run the system. On February 6, President Bush delivered
his 2007 budget request to Congress. His budget requested $347 million
for VAWA - that's $39.5 million less than for 2006. (http://www.womenspolicy.org/thesource/issue.cfm?issueID=243).
By simply reallocating funding away from programs that destroy due
process, and the very principles that make the U.S. a free society,
this budget request will be more than sufficient to fund those victim
services that demonstrably provide equal assistance for all domestic
violence victims regardless of gender.
Last week FamilyViolence.org put out a desperate call saying that VAWA is "in trouble." The group called on people to pressure Congress to provide full funding for all VAWA programs.
It's bottom of the second inning, the score is tied 1-1, and two of our men are on base. Now we're up to bat - let's bring our boys home!
This week, call the following key Senators who will make BIG
decisions about the VAWA budget for 2007:
| Senator |
Voice phone |
FAX |
Chairman of |
| Thad Cochran |
202-224-5054 |
202-224-9450 |
Appropriations Committee |
| Richard Shelby |
202-224-5744 |
202-224-3416 |
Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and
Science
(this subcommittee will decide on funding for the Department of
Justice, which administers VAWA) |
When you call or fax, urge them to approve the President's 2007
budget proposal for VAWA. The VAWA budget cuts should be directed to
curbing overly-aggressive law enforcement programs, not to reducing
services for victims of domestic violence.
Your telephone call or fax will help assure that VAWA stops
violating the civil rights of hundreds of thousands of innocent
American citizens.
Date of RADAR Release: April 9, 2006
R.A.D.A.R. – Respecting Accuracy in Domestic
Abuse Reporting – is a network of concerned
men and women working to assure that the problem of
domestic violence is treated in a balanced and
effective manner. http://www.mediaradar.org/.
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RADAR has recently released reports that reveal how the Violence
Against Women Act routinely discriminates against male victims,
tramples on due process protections, and undermines the family.