| The victims should not be blamed for a broken | | | | adequate resources to become survivors. It is |
| system as there is not a simple solution or answer | | | | obvious that the current antiquated measures are |
| for victims of domestic abuse. The many victims | | | | not working. |
| who choose to file restraining orders and seek the | | | | The national domestic violence database is proof that |
| assistance of law enforcement are often further | | | | there are organizations and individuals who recognize |
| harmed or worse they are killed. The victims who | | | | that domestic violence is a criminal epidemic that |
| reach out for help can tell you that the path to | | | | cannot be overlooked or swept under the rug by |
| freedom and the process of becoming a survivor is | | | | society any longer. Now women and men alike can |
| not as easy as one may believe. Victims are often | | | | go on-line and find out if they are involved with |
| left homeless, unemployed and they become part of | | | | someone who has been abusive in past relationships. |
| an endless cycle of court dates and daily/weekly | | | | As far too often abusers are repeat offenders and |
| incident reports that are never investigated or | | | | they are able to blend in to society and sweep their |
| prosecuted as the cases are often a he said she said. | | | | past violent actions under the rug from unknowing |
| Many victims who do what is believed by society as | | | | persons until they become victims themselves. The |
| the right thing to do sadly end up stalked relentlessly | | | | cycle of abuse and violence in the homes across our |
| by the abusers or worse they end up -dead. There | | | | nation will not end unless we do something to help |
| needs to be a complete overhaul of our system and | | | | stop this silent killer. The domestic violence database |
| more accountability measures put in place for all of | | | | project that I am working on will provide domestic |
| the entities involved including the victim service | | | | abuse victims and their family members who have |
| providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, family law | | | | been abandoned by our justice system with |
| attorneys and the abusers. Victims of abuse need | | | | something until now that has been lost- hope. |