Domestic Violence and the White House

Posted 7/01/09 by Danielle Gram

With my spotty internet connection (Bolivian internet cafes are infamous for their poor quality internet),  I´m not sure how much virtual celebrating I will get to do in this blog before unknown powers kick me off.  For now, I present you all with this great bit of news to make your day: the NY Times editorial entitled Än Advocate for Women.¨

After years of this idea being thrown around in some form or another, President Obama has decided to take a step toward combating violence against women by creating a  new advisory  post in the White House.  Lynn Rosenthal is an excellent choice for White House Advisor to the President on Women´s issues.  Her career as Director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence is nearly spotless, and she is praised by many who work in the field of nonviolence.

I am especially pleased that this new post has been created at such a crucial time for the economy and for women in the U.S.  Whenever unemployment rises, trends in violence increase, especially domestic violence cases.  Furthermore, the American Institute on Domestic Violence estimates that the cost of health-related violence against women caused by rape and domestic violence exceeds $5.8 billion, not including  the high costs of incarcenation. Placing more emphasis on this important issue during times of budget tightening will save taxpayers money while improving violence  prevention and response.

I hope that with this new position, domestic violence will receive more attention in the United States, and that programs for prevention, in addition to those for response , will receive greater funding.  By spending a little more on programs to combat violence, much more can be saved by avoiding the expenses of police response and incarceration.

One Response to “Domestic Violence and the White House”

  1. Cherry Simpson says:
    July 2, 2009 at 9:08 am

    My daughter is the victim of Spousal Rape/Abuse. Your own Professor Diane Rosenfeld and her students helped her.

    This is a very serious problem which needs addressing. I am very grateful to Harvard Law for taking such a stance against DV and actually doing something to help stop it.

    Recently womensenews wrote an article on the new bill my daughter is working on with Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson. I know she would be encouraged to see fellow Dem’s doing something to stop DV.

    http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/4058

    My daughter is willing to help in any way she can. Below are 2 letters featured at the NDVH website. Please feel free to contact us and use her story as an example.

    http://www.ndvh.org/2009/06/hope-help-heartfelt-thanks/

    http://www.ndvh.org/2009/05/gps-tracking/

    Reply

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