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Hello Anthony,
These are indeed interesting times when it comes to violence against women....and children. The Gov., fortunately, vetoed a bill last week that would have made it unnecessary for a physician to report domestic violence --- which of course leads us to the next question --- if there is no mandate to report --- then there is no need to find a solution. These movements in the political arena to change laws that make women and children more vulnerable are challenging at best --- but certainly demoralizing. VIP is a program that provides support for all victims of interpersonal violence and sexual assault --- both medically and mental health but also in partnership with law enforcement via the Family Justice Center on the LAC+USC Medical Campus and with advocates through the direct partnership with ELA women's center and their shelter on the campus of LAC+USC.
In this world that has traditionally been governed by men, there is a long tradition of seeing women as possessions. And as a recent candidate for the Senate in Ohio explained ---"being raped is inconvenient for the woman" explaining away his position that rape is not the reason for an abortion. It is probably not convenient to be a victim of any form of violence --- and that goes for both men and women. It is why I have taken a stance that calling women survivors and men victims (say of having the car stolen) is absurd. Women do not "survive" this assault, they persevere for so often children and families are at risk and women will do anything to protect them. Sexual assault is only one form of domestic violence; violence against women starts with stealing identity, self-esteem, and safety and substituting verbal, and emotional violence eventually joined with physical and sexual violence. This combination of assaults on the very inner being of a woman, a child, can never be erased.
Violence against women is practiced at the highest levels of our country. It is excused by many, tolerated by those who victim blame and finally women are asked to forgive. I would instead ask to find the ability to forget --- to heal. Children who witness this violence and are unable to prevent or protect --- will always remember. It will change their view of life, safety and will erode their own sense of worth and power. Violence breeds more violence in the lives of children born into these homes. We need more mandated reporters; not just the physicians, but the neighbors, the clerks in the stores and those patrolling our streets. We need to ask the right questions of our friends and find a way to help those at risk to find safety.
Astrid
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