Post by lace on Oct 8, 2006 22:28:31 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]October 8, 2006
Domestic violence: AG's effort a lifesaver [/glow]
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has announced creation of a Domestic Violence Division of his office that could save many lives.
To be funded by a two-year, $1.5 million grant through the U.S. Department of Justice, the four-person unit will help train officers, provide assistance to attorneys who help domestic-abuse victims, and coordinate victims' services, according to Heather Wagner, the unit's director. It's needed.
[glow=red,2,300]Mississippi ranks second worst in the nation for domestic violence.[/glow]
The unit should also help spur efforts to close loopholes in state law.
In 1995, the Legislature passed a tough domestic violence law requiring an arrest as a 24-hour "cooling off" period when police are called.
[glow=red,2,300]But too many cases are falling through the cracks. [/glow]
For example, permanent protective orders are too difficult and costly for victims to obtain and a registry of orders should be instantaneously available to police when responding to calls.
Nationally, domestic violence causes more injuries to women than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined and is a major factor in homicides.
[glow=red,2,300]Mississippi ranks ninth in the nation for rate of females killed by males in single victim-single offender homicides. [/glow]
[glow=red,2,300]If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. [/glow]
Online, see: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, www.ncadv.org/; Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, www.mcadv.org/ and AG's office: www.ago.state.ms.us
www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061008/OPINION01/610080314/1008/OPINION
Domestic violence: AG's effort a lifesaver [/glow]
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has announced creation of a Domestic Violence Division of his office that could save many lives.
To be funded by a two-year, $1.5 million grant through the U.S. Department of Justice, the four-person unit will help train officers, provide assistance to attorneys who help domestic-abuse victims, and coordinate victims' services, according to Heather Wagner, the unit's director. It's needed.
[glow=red,2,300]Mississippi ranks second worst in the nation for domestic violence.[/glow]
The unit should also help spur efforts to close loopholes in state law.
In 1995, the Legislature passed a tough domestic violence law requiring an arrest as a 24-hour "cooling off" period when police are called.
[glow=red,2,300]But too many cases are falling through the cracks. [/glow]
For example, permanent protective orders are too difficult and costly for victims to obtain and a registry of orders should be instantaneously available to police when responding to calls.
Nationally, domestic violence causes more injuries to women than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined and is a major factor in homicides.
[glow=red,2,300]Mississippi ranks ninth in the nation for rate of females killed by males in single victim-single offender homicides. [/glow]
[glow=red,2,300]If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. [/glow]
Online, see: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, www.ncadv.org/; Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, www.mcadv.org/ and AG's office: www.ago.state.ms.us
www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061008/OPINION01/610080314/1008/OPINION