today's winner, again from the des moines register, hits the nail on the head:
As an unemployed victim advocate, I understand and sympathize with those non-profit projects that will either be eliminated or merged in Iowa because of state and federal budget cuts. ("Shelter Closings Limit Victims' Options," April 11.)
Once again, rural areas and those of us who live "out here" witness the importance of social issues that is reflected by our legislators and congressmen who voted for these cuts.
How high does a victim have to jump? The "hoops" get smaller and the "fences" get higher for those who struggle on a daily basis with issues of domestic violence. Now we want to make it tougher for those adults and children who are seeking any kind of assistance to protect themselves from violent perpetrators.
These shelters and projects not only provide a safe haven for victims of violence, but advocates also help and empower victims to find employment, housing, legal and medical assistance, education and, most important, self-worth.
Eliminating and merging projects and shelters also reduces the capability of receiving these necessary services in the rural areas because of lack of transportation. Many victims cannot travel the extra miles because they do not have adequate means of getting to shelter. The barrier of adequate transportation for a victim seeking assistance is of considerable importance and is often the decisive component of leaving or staying. And yet we keep asking the same old question, "Why doesn't she just leave?"
How about this for the same old question: "Why do our state and local governments pump billions of dollars into reconstructing other countries and establishing a mega-million dollar rain forest in Iowa when women and children here in Iowa and the rest of the United States suffer?
-Sandra Altman,
Coon Rapids,
former victim-services
coordinator, Partnership for
Violence Free Living.
No comments:
Post a Comment