Legislative Update RE Domestic Violence in WA State

In reviewing the Legislative Session Summary 2010 from the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, once again this survivor is stunned by the "reasoning". HB 3111, SB6318 would have provided mandatory reporting of gunshot wounds. Legislation was opposed by the WSCADV and FAILED.

I messaged the Coalition and asked them to explain why they would oppose such a measure. Their position...an automatic report by the hospital might prevent an injured party from seeking medical care! From the perspective of one who survived near fatal injury in Washington State, even when I urged hospital workers to report my injury, POLICE DID NOT RESPOND. There is no protocol in place that requires them to respond. My captor/assailant went on to abuse other women while I was hospitalized, recovering from injuries. If law enforcement would have responded, this would have been prevented.

Other measures that did pass, include HB2770/SB 6504 which reduced crime victim compensation to a maximum of $50,000 (from $190,000). On a positive note, funding was preserved for domestic violence shelter programs with only a slight reduction in advocacy. In terms of repeat domestic violence offenders, ESHB 2777 clarifies that individuals restrained by a protection order cannot possess firearms! This may seem like a no-brainer for residents of 46 states...but be aware that in Washington, Georgia, Oklahoma and Nebraska there is virtually no protocol for protection, no ordinances in place to serve those at greatest risk. Domestic violence is not "a private matter". Nearly all offenders are serial offenders...if we don't take measures to stop them, its only a matter of WHO is next! (maybe someone YOU love).

Visit www.survivoronamission.org for additional information about domestic violence, human trafficking, rape and resolution of PTSD which frequently results from these ordeals. Included under trauma resolution is a free MP3 download of guided imagery exercises that bring the listener to that peaceful place within themselves...a place fellow practitioiners call "pure awareness". Join me in pure awareness; please forward this link to someone you care about who is stuck in suffering. Stay blessed.