Should We Be Funding Domestic Violence Shelters?

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Should we be funding Domestic Violence shelters? Domestic violence is a problem in our country with nearly 1 million women experiencing at least one incident of domestic abuse each year, (2009/10 British Crime Survey). Social-program funding is being scrutinized in the current economic climate with doubts as to whether American tax dollars should be used to help victims of domestic violence. Cutting funds for government programs that assist victims of domestic violence is not an option for many reasons. In this essay I will explore some of the many ways these programs help our fellow citizens in order to support the argument for continuing to fund said programs. 54% of women victims of serious sexual assault were assaulted by their partner or ex-partner (Stern 2010). 19% of women have experienced stalking since the age of 16 (Smith (Ed.), Coleman, Eder and Hall January 2011). These statistics help give a picture of the problem but do little to shed light on the solution. There are many programs and shelters offered to victims of domestic violence, Hill Country Cares is one of them. Hill Country Cares is a government funded women’s shelter better known s HCC. This is a place where victims of domestic violence are referred to from many sources. (i.e. local authorities after reporting a domestic violence incident). HCC is a safe place where victims receive many different types of assistance while their situation, as well as the painfully intimate details of their abuse, are kept entirely confidential. Admittance into the HCC program is entirely optional but comes with very clearly defined rules that are put into place for the safety and benefit of the domestic violence victims. Admitted are not allowed to contact the abuser fo... ... middle of paper ... ...estic violence are more likely to experience repeat victimisation than victims of any other types of crime (British Crime Survey Reports). 76% of all DVincidents are repeat (Flatley, Kershaw, Smith, Chaplin and Moon (July 2010) BCS – Crime in England and Wales 2009/10, Home Office, http://rds. homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/hosb1210.pdf, p. 24) Women experience an average of 35 incidents of domestic violence before reporting an incident to the police (Yearnshaw 1997, http://safer.sthelens.gov.uk/SITEMAN V2/publications/40/0901316LeafletsforDVVictims_3.pdf). 19% of women have experienced stalking since the age of 16 (Smith (Ed.), Coleman, Eder and Hall (January 2011) Homicides, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence 2009/10 Supplementary Volume 2 to Crime in England and Wales 2009/10, Home Office, http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs11/hosb0111.pdf).

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