The day is over -- now what can we do as individuals and as a community to stop abuse, assault, and violence?
We can remember those who are not noticed, ignored, and who are too often invisible.
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness month and during this month we can notice that young people in dating relationships are not taken as seriously as adults. There are not as many legal protections for those who are not married..
The Violence Against Women Act has just passed the United States Senate by an overwhelming margin. However, it still faces obstacles in the House of Representatives. Despite the fact that 17 Republicans have just asked House Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor to ratify VAWA as passed by the Senate, Republican leaders have said they have not yet decided what to do about the bill. Last year, the bill ran into opposition from Republicans in the House who objected to the provisions expanding and solidifying protection for immigrants, native peoples in Indian country, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) survivors.
We can notice immigrant people, and those who are undocumented, who are understandably reluctant to seek legal protection because of their status in the United States. Women crossing the border illegally are subject to rape by their “coyotes,” and border patrol officials, according to confirmed reports and court cases, and they're also at risk of sexual assault in immigration detention facilities. VAWA would also increase the number of temporary visas given to undocumented immigrants who are victims of domestic abuse.
Violence against women has reached epidemic proportions in Indian country. Native American women are among the most vulnerable groups, with 46 percent subject to rape, physical violence, or stalking by a domestic partner at some point in their lives (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) American Indian women are more than twice as likely to be raped as white women (oftentimes by non-Indian men) and many are left in limbo between tribal authorities who are powerless to act against non-tribal aggressors and local officials who are unable to exert control on tribal lands. The new Senate bill recognizes tribal authority to prosecute non-American Indians who abuse their partners.
Because their relationships are not seen as legitimate, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) people are underserved by our shelters and our crisis centers, and by the civil and criminal legal systems. The new VAWA includes earmarked funding for community organizations that serve LGBT victims, a prohibition against LGBT discrimination by law enforcement and domestic-violence shelters, and an explicit allowance for states to use federal money to help LGBT victims.
Our own Congressman Jared Huffman (to his credit) is one of the co-sponsors of VAWA in the house. You can call Representatives Cantor (202-225-2815) and Boehner (202-225-6205) and urge them to pass the version of VAWA passed by the Senate.
What else can you do? You can make a cash donation to one of our local anti-violence organizations. Or you can make a donation of material goods. You can get involved as a volunteer, board member or committee member or sponsor a fundraiser for Humboldt Domestic Violence Services (444-9255), North Coast Rape Crisis Team, (443-2737) or WISH in southern Humboldt. (923-4100). The Humboldt County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council has multiple opportunities for citizen participation; you can learn more by calling me at 601-5042.
Don't end your activism after one day -- take action now.
Susan McGee is the Coordinator of the Humboldt County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and is on the faculty at Humboldt State University in the Department of Critical Race Gender and Sexuality Studies.