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Joliet Herald News, February 23, 2012: Funds needed for prevention of domestic violence, sex assault

02/23/12

 

JOLIET — A 2010 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found one in four women — and one in seven men — has suffered severe physical violence by an intimate partner.
 
The survey also found nearly one in five women has been raped, while one in 71 men have been raped in their lifetime.
 
The problem of domestic violence and sexual assault not only continues, it can worsen in bad economic times.
 
Victim advocates met with U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert on Thursday to discuss the federal Violence Against Women Act, which is in the process of being reauthorized.
 
Last approved in 2005, the act is supposed to be reauthorized every five years. Legislation to reauthorize the bill was introduced in November and is headed to the Senate floor.
 
The bill will remain in effect until it is reauthorized, Biggert said.
 
Biggert, who worked on the last two bills, said she would like to work on forming this bill. The House judiciary committee is considering it now.
 
“I think it’s a pretty good bill,” Biggert said, adding that funding will be an issue, as it has been reduced from the original level.
 
“We want to be able to give you the tools you need,” she said.
 
The Violence Against Women Act first was enacted in 1994. It funds specialized law enforcement units, services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and improved prosecution.
 
Since the passage of the act, the annual incidence of domestic violence has dropped by more than 50 percent, according to the White House Council on Women and Girls.
 
Funding continues to be a problem for social service agencies, who say they are trying to meet a growing need with less money.
 
“We all want to have more to serve more,” said Ines Kutlesa, president and CEO of Guardian Angel Home in Joliet.
 
She added that she was glad that the proposed reauthorization includes an emphasis on sexual assault services, which typically do not get as much attention as domestic violence services.
 
“They’re equally important,” Kutlesa said.
 
Unfortunately, limited funding means agencies focus their resources on treating victims, which doesn’t leave a lot of money for prevention work.
 
Mutual Ground domestic violence shelter in Aurora lost two staff members and are not able to reach as many schools with outreach programs as in the past, Executive Director Michelle Meyer said.
 
“The money’s just been dipping and dipping, and with all the kids we want to see it’s getting a little overwhelming,” Meyer said.