Comments on: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – A SENSITIVE SUBJECT TO APPROACH http://www.johntfloyd.com/blog/2009/10/24/domestic-violence-a-sensitive-subject-to-approach/ CRIMINAL JURISDICTION: Criminal Law Blog by Defense Lawyer John Floyd and Mr. Billy Sinclair Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:21:02 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Jennifer Varela http://www.johntfloyd.com/blog/2009/10/24/domestic-violence-a-sensitive-subject-to-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-782 Jennifer Varela Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:34:06 +0000 http://www.johntfloyd.com/blog/?p=299#comment-782 We are all responsible for domestic violence. We all allow it. Women don't leave because they want to live. Once a woman is caught up in a violent relationship, her options become extremely limited and dangerous. Women are most likely to die when they leave, not when they stay. You say women have options, like the Houston Area Women's Center. We do - and HAWC does a wonderful job - but try calling shelters - I do it all the time - most of the time, they are full. You can't get in. And - a shelter is only a 30-60 day solution. How about after? What if she has kids with the abuser. It is pretty rare that the family courts will not allow him unrestricted access - how does she protect her kids? And - yes those of us on the prosecution side need to fight hard. But, also on the defense side - how about this - how can a defense attorney justify meeting with a victim, writing a statement for her, talking with her - and not giving her safety information - is this person in fact not assisting the batterer in keeping this woman trapped? I am not talking about a defense attorney doing his or her job - I believe in our system - I'm talking about something else entirely. Or, how about when a woman shows up in my office with her "own attorney?" Usually, a friend of the defendent's attorney - is that person truly looking out for the safety and well-being of that woman and her children? And - truly - all of us - every person who knows about a domestic violence situation, a person who sits on a jury, the judges, police officers, cps - everyone - we are all responsible. I agree with you - the battered woman is too - she has to be empowered to take responsbility and exercise safe options. We are all responsible for domestic violence. We all allow it. Women don’t leave because they want to live. Once a woman is caught up in a violent relationship, her options become extremely limited and dangerous. Women are most likely to die when they leave, not when they stay. You say women have options, like the Houston Area Women’s Center. We do – and HAWC does a wonderful job – but try calling shelters – I do it all the time – most of the time, they are full. You can’t get in. And – a shelter is only a 30-60 day solution. How about after? What if she has kids with the abuser. It is pretty rare that the family courts will not allow him unrestricted access – how does she protect her kids?

And – yes those of us on the prosecution side need to fight hard. But, also on the defense side – how about this – how can a defense attorney justify meeting with a victim, writing a statement for her, talking with her – and not giving her safety information – is this person in fact not assisting the batterer in keeping this woman trapped?

I am not talking about a defense attorney doing his or her job – I believe in our system – I’m talking about something else entirely. Or, how about when a woman shows up in my office with her “own attorney?” Usually, a friend of the defendent’s attorney – is that person truly looking out for the safety and well-being of that woman and her children?

And – truly – all of us – every person who knows about a domestic violence situation, a person who sits on a jury, the judges, police officers, cps – everyone – we are all responsible.

I agree with you – the battered woman is too – she has to be empowered to take responsbility and exercise safe options.

]]> By: Nancy E Jones http://www.johntfloyd.com/blog/2009/10/24/domestic-violence-a-sensitive-subject-to-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-755 Nancy E Jones Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:05:57 +0000 http://www.johntfloyd.com/blog/?p=299#comment-755 Thank you for addressing this subject. It is heartbreaking to the ones who love the victims and many times have tried to help them get away. Thank you for addressing this subject. It is heartbreaking to the ones who love the victims and many times have tried to help them get away.

]]> By: DVhelp http://www.johntfloyd.com/blog/2009/10/24/domestic-violence-a-sensitive-subject-to-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-754 DVhelp Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:46:37 +0000 http://www.johntfloyd.com/blog/?p=299#comment-754 "Three Spouses murdered each day" What a shocking statistic, and one that can be reduced if we keep spreading this message throughout October and beyond! “Three Spouses murdered each day” What a shocking statistic, and one that can be reduced if we keep spreading this message throughout October and beyond!

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