Domestic Violence Deniers

Marisa Demarco [ Thu Jun 10 2010 5:36 PM ]

Congressman Ben Ray Lujan sent out a news release today announcing that he’s being targeted by Abusegate, Investigate!. According to its site, the group is bent on ending the “domestic violence industry.” But a further look at the principles and goals of the organization reveals some real gems. (My gift to you. Happy Thursday, everyone.)

Lujan is being singled out because he is one of 20 lawmakers who supports “discriminatory laws such as the International Violence Against Women Act that are known to violate fundamental civil rights and escalate partner tensions,” according to the news release.

Such laws contribute to the destruction of families, says the brain trust propelling Abusegate. There’s also a sister organization called Concerned Women for America that would like to “take the ‘gender’ politics and ‘politically correct’ agenda out of public policy solutions.”

Wha ... ?

Public Comments (1)

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Domestic Violence Deniers [ Wed Jun 23 2010 11:01 AM ]

Those attacking Congressman Ben Ray Luján for his support of the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) are seriously misinformed. The critics claim that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is biased against men, and erroneously extend that assumption to IVAWA. If child custody decisions and enforcement of domestic violence laws seem to favor women over men, that is the consequence of local laws and court practices, rather than being required by VAWA. Furthermore, VAWA deals only with violence within the United States. IVAWA is intended to deal with the global crisis in violence against women; approximately one out of three women worldwide has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime, with domestic violence reaching 70% in some countries.
Working through the international assistance that the U.S. already provides, IVAWA will support best practices and innovative programs in other countries which have been shown to effectively decrease acts of violence. IVAWA is supported by Senators Bingaman and Udall as well as Representative Luján. They should be applauded rather than attacked for their support of women’s human rights.
Robert E. Pearson
Amnesty International USA
Legislative Coordinator, New Mexico
Last edited [6/23/10 11:03 AM]