Enough Violence to Go Around

I just finished reading Cathy Young’s article online at Reason's website about the biased nature of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). I have had such thoughts for some time, particularly after having worked both in a rape crisis center in Chicago and a domestic violence shelter in Miami. Both of these organizations provided me with some of the most amazing and worthwhile professional experiences and human encounters I could have imagined! However, talk about dysfunctional places to work! Staff meetings at both places often felt like a family reunion gone wrong…

The high level of abusive struggles for power and control (these elements are at the very center of many models on the cycles of violence) seemed to be engrained in the organizations' daily operations. I began to see them as part of the mission and philosophy of the establishments themselves. The messages rang in my head on a daily basis: “Men are bad.” “Women are oppressed.” “Society is unfair.” “Pay attention to me!” And this was from the staff not from the clients who sought a remedy or comfort. Ms. Young’s article touches on the most interesting aspects of this legislation's injustices and offers practical insight into how the issues can be addressed.