Domestic violence takes lives and ruins families — and the more attention the issue receives, the better. During Domestic Violence Awareness month, I wanted to share some of the steps the Legislature has taken to address this destructive crime.
First, we have dramatically increased funding to domestic violence shelters, making more beds available to victims seeking a safe haven. In 2004, 9,483 women who fled their homes found shelter, but 11,056 were turned away. This fiscal year, 12,936 have been served and 8,148 turned away. By 2009 we will have reduced the number of women turned away to 5,474.
Shelter funding is an
excellent example of private/public partnerships. Through the coupling of donations and state funding, it is my hope that this positive trend will continue and that we can soon ensure that every victim who needs shelter can get it.
Last year, the Legislature passed S1227, a bill I co-sponsored with Senate President Tim Bee. This bill allows domestic violence victims who are fleeing an abuser to terminate rental agreements without incurring early termination penalties or fees. If the tenant
provides written 30-day notice and a copy of a restraining order, a court order or police report, he or she can be released from the lease. The tenant must pay any rent owed and any outstanding debt up to the date of termination.
This bill is critical because it removes the financial incentive for victims to return to the very place where they are being abused. The increased capacity at shelters is only
meaningful if the abused can find an alternate place to live, away from the threat of further abuse. In committee we heard horrifying testimony from those who had fled abusive relationships only to have the abuser return for them because they knew where they lived.
Other bills increased the penalties for repeat offenders and allowed cities and towns to create domestic violence fatality review teams. These teams include members of the law
enforcement community, prosecutors and experts in the field. The teams are used to study cases to establish best practices for dealing with domestic violence.
Domestic violence is an extremely complex and difficult subject, but one that irrevocably impacts Arizona’s families. Through increased support for victims, heightened penalties for abusers and further study of the issue, we hope to continue to reduce its devastating effects.
Jim Waring is a state senator representing District 7 in Phoenix. He was the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence Legislator of the Year in 2005 and 2006