White House 2009 DVAM Proclamation

The White House marked the commemoration of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a proclamation acknowledging the scope and impact of the violence and calling on all Americans to do their part to end domestic violence by supporting their communities´ efforts to assist victims in finding the held and healing they need.

The words of President Obama come at a time when Pennsylvania is experiencing a stunning number of domestic violence fatalities (139 deaths last year; 50 just between Memorial Day and Labor Day this summer… at a time when the state budget impasse and resulting funding crisis are creating tremendous hardships for domestic violence programs and their community partners, many of which are on the brink of, or already are, closing their shelters, furloughing staff, and eliminating services.

The President´s Proclamation offers the promise of hope, justice, and safety to those suffering behind closed doors. It also offers inspiration, encouragement, and support to those who work tirelessly to stop the violence and save lives.

View 2009 White House Proclamation

PA House of Representatives 2009 DVAM Resolution

High fives all around for State Representative John Siptroth (D., Monroe and Pike counties) and his colleagues in the Pa House who have demonstrated that one bad apple can´t spoil their barrel.

This week the House adopted a House Resolution, sponsored by Rep. Siptroth, proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. The vote was 195-1. Not surprising, the single nay vote was cast by State Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R. Butler), a very vocal and unapologetic opponent of this so-called non-controversial proposal.

The House had planned to vote on this resolution in mid-September, but plans changed with Rep. Metcalfe spoke out on the floor of the House to oppose it, claiming it has a "homosexual agenda." As a result, the resolution was pulled and referred back to committee.

Metcalfe later explained that he didn´t like the references about incidents involving men and services for male victims. It´s his opinion that real men aren´t victims, therefore, they don´t need services; and that gay men shouldn´t be entitled to services.

Fortunately and thankfully, Rep. Siproth and House Members pledged to not let October pass without passing the Domestic Violence Awareness Resolution – with or without Metcalfe´s vote. Because they´re all too aware that domestic violence doesn´t discriminate. It can and does happen to individuals from all walks of life, within all income and education levels, and to both women and men.

The recent tragic killing of a 19-year-old man in Monroe County is a compelling reminder that men indeed are victims. Last year alone, 35 adult male victims lost their lives in domestic violence-related incidents. Most were killed by other men; one was involved a same-sex relationship.

Ignorant comments, such as Rep. Metcalfe´s, serve no purpose other than to deter victims from seeking the help they need to deal with the violence in their lives. We take this time during Domestic Violence Awareness to reassure all Pennsylvanians that our statewide network of 61 domestic violence programs also does not discriminate. Age, race, creed, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation and ability play no part in the availability of and access to free and confidential services for domestic violence victims and their children in all 67 counties. Help is a just phone call away.

View PA House Resolution