Domestic violence has been present for hundreds of years, and although much work has been done to stop normalizing these practices, data reveal that, currently, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men in the United States have experienced this abuse in at some point in your life, so you need to evaluate what is happening and the areas where further action needs to be taken.
When speaking out and coping with these circumstances, many victims of domestic violence have to leave their home, so they face a difficult decision: remain homeless and with nothing or continue enduring a life of violence, so said Susan Rubio during a briefing held by Ethnic Media Services.
Rubio, senator for the State of California, is a survivor of domestic violence, so she understands and understands the victims from their feelings; That is why it is part of its political mission to work to help victims who end up on the streets due to their economic circumstances.
?This year I have a bill for judges to consider 15 years ago in a domestic violence case, since currently only 5 years ago from the lawsuit is taken into account, however, this bill is in pause until January?, explained the official.
Extending the time to be considered in a case of domestic violence from 5 years to 15 years is important during a process since sometimes the attacks are not constant but are present.
For her, it is important to work to change the narrative of the victims, in this way giving them hope, strength and support when they need it most, because this way more cases can be prevented and lives that are in danger can be saved.
?I am a prepared person, with studies and more, having everything to not be a victim, however, I realized that anyone can be one, and it happens more and more in professional women who are threatened with being exposed to the society?, Susan pointed out.
Tina Swithin, founder of One Mom's Battle (A mother's battle), shared her experience as a victim of domestic violence: during her process she filed a complaint and her partner at that time obtained a restraining order, so she could not approach him, however, she overlooked this and she was left vulnerable; In this way, Tina realized that she could not only depend on the laws to be safe, so it was a very difficult battle.
Tina has been involved in more cases to help those women who are still in their most vulnerable stage. She has also managed to receive external support, from associations and government areas, showing that there is a lot to work and do.
"Domestic violence is about control and power, the abuser's need for power does not end when the romantic relationship ends, but the abuse that comes after the relationship ends is much worse than within the relationship," commented Swithin. .
Viji Sundaram, a reporter for The Public Press and co-founder of Narika, a nonprofit advocacy group that works with Asian women of Indian origin, shared some of her reporting during a very sensitive case of a woman who married a man. man who dedicated himself to making porn films.
On one occasion, the husband asked the woman named Mariam if she could participate in the film and she said no. Although she knew that the situation with her partner was bad, she decided to have a daughter to see if this would improve the relationship. The worst came later, when the man forced her to be part of a film, threatening that if she didn't he would use her daughter for these purposes. That was the last thing that happened, so he ran out of his house to escape.
The husband filed a lawsuit against her since she returned to her country of origin to flee the situation, however, she was the victim, but before the law she was a fugitive, which kept her in constant fear. This is how this woman's family arrived with Viji Sundaram to ask for help.
In the end it was proven that she was innocent and that she did not have to continue being afraid, at the end of her process she was able to make her life again.
Sundaram explained that this woman did not suffer from physical violence as such, but she lived in fear and in a dangerous situation. This is why many cases do not proceed, because there is not enough evidence to act and the victims have to endure certain risky situations for not having an outlet or support.
Experts agree that a lot of work is needed in the legal area, judges do not have complete knowledge and not all of them support and act correctly.
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