Sheriff Vásquez – Stopping the cycle of domestic violence

(Considering the fact that October has been designated as Nation Domestic Violence Awareness month, I would like to re-print an article that I put out to the citizens several months ago on this very important issue.)

“Domestic violence causes far more pain than the visible marks of bruises and scars. It is devastating to be abused by someone that you love and think loves you in return.” Dianne Feinstein, (U.S. Senator from California)

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. What we must never forget is that across our country domestic violence traumatizes victims, endangers children, harms families and threatens communities.

According to the most recent report from the Department of Justice, there is an average of 700,000 incidents of domestic violence reported each year. Approximately one-third of women who are murdered each year are killed by their current or former husband or partner. Children who are subjected to domestic violence too often grow up to inflict violence on others, creating a cycle of violence that must be stopped.

For centuries no one talked about it, no one admitted to witnessing it and no one did anything to prevent it. I recently read a very frightening statistic. During the Vietnam War 58,000 American soldiers were killed. As with those who have died in other conflicts, memorials are put up in their honor. But during the same period, between 30,000 and 54,000 American women were killed in their homes. Why was this war against women allowed to continue?

Violence by male partners is the single largest cause of injury to women – more than muggings and car accidents combined. Yet violence against women has remained largely unreported. However, thanks largely to the activities of voluntary women’s organizations, today that is changing.

Domestic abuse knows no social economic class, race, age or geographical boundaries. Every women and child in every area of the world can be a victim. It is the most graphic symptom of the imbalance of power in the relationship between men and women. We must continue to renew our commitment to prevent and punish the perpetrators of this despicable crime and bring hope and healing to those affected by it.

In some communities across our country, law enforcement, medical and legal services for domestic violence victims are fragmented, requiring victims to travel to several different places to receive the help and treatment they need. Comprehensive service centers for domestic violence victims and their dependents enable health and justice professionals to better serve those in need. Local nonprofit programs such as Against Abuse of Casa Grande and Community Alliance Against Family Abuse of Apache Junction also offer critical assistance and support to victims in need – help that may not otherwise be available.

To help stop this cycle of violence, in Partnership with the Pinal County Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office applied for and received a $500,000 grant from the federal government for domestic violence issues. This grant will allow the Sheriff’s Office to hire two full-time detectives to investigate incidents of domestic violence, pay half the salary of a Pinal County Attorney to prosecute domestic violence cases, purchase a van and provide the salary for a driver to be given to Against Abuse of Casa Grande, fund $3,500 towards the Pinal County Domestic Violence Coalition’s annual conference and $2,500 towards the Eastern Regional Domestic Violence Coalition’s annual conference.

On behalf of families and communities across Pinal County, I call on all citizens to help raise public awareness about how to prevent, recognize and stop domestic violence. I applaud the commitment of all those who are helping to improve the lives of domestic violence survivors and their families. Working together, we can continue to find better solutions to this national problem.

Let’s take a stand to stop the cycle of violence. Let’s take a stand to bring aggressors to justice, and bring help and healing for their victims.

Thank you, and until next month, God Bless.