Everybody's Business

Today marks the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness month. In the face of a 30 percent increase of reported domestic violence incidences across the country, our California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has seen fit to veto all state funding for Domestic Violence programs.

This action involves a line item veto of the Department of Public Health's Domestic Violence Program, which provided $20.4 million for 94 domestic violence centers and shelters. Services provided by these agencies also include legal advocacy, transitional housing, assistance with restraining orders, counseling, hotlines, and other vital support services.

How can we ignore what amounts to domestic terrorism? In a recent Huffington Post article, Eve Ensler, author of "The Vagina Monologues," reports that already in the past seven months of this year five men in California have killed their families and themselves. And, one hotline in Contra Costa County, CA, received triple the normal number of calls in the first seven months of this year.

In these difficult economic times, we are seeing a rise in domestic violence and a reduction in support of programs that provide advocacy for the victims. We cannot turn a blind eye to this. Let's learn more about Teen Age Dating Abuse, Intimate Partner Abuse, Elder Abuse, Sibling Abuse, the Domestic Violence Cycle, and the signs of a potentially abusive mate during this month.

Contrary to the popular belief that "what goes on behind closed doors, should stay behind closed doors," domestic violence in this country is everybody's business.