On Thursday, with domestic violence advocates, law enforcement leaders and elected officials by their side, the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) unveiled its legislative priorities for the 2012 session.
"The Coalition is in support of some key measures aimed at keeping victims safe and safer," said Karen Jarmoc, Interim Director of CCADV. "As the recognized leading voice for victims of domestic violence and those who serve them, we are pleased to focus our policy work on initiatives which will strengthen Connecticut's response to victims in our state." The Coalition has embraced the legislative recommendations of the General Assembly's Task Force On Law Enforcement Response to Family Violence as a foundation, she said. Jarmoc, who co-chaired the task force with Rep. Mae Flexer (D-Killingly), says that the development of a statewide law enforcement model policy - as outlined by the task force - moves Connecticut forward and builds upon the state's provisions to assist victims of domestic violence.
Other important Task Force recommendations, which have gained the support of the Coalition, include the establishment of a Family Violence Model Policy Governing Council to provide for an annual review of our state's mandatory arrest law and other statutes concerning domestic violence and improved monitoring and enforcement of Orders of Protection. Additionally, the Coalition is in support of extending the maximum allowable length of restraining orders to up to one year and an increase to the accountability of batterers enrolled in the Family Violence Education Program.
Speaking alongside Ms. Jarmoc were Attorney General George Jepsen, State Representative Mae Flexer, Chief Douglas Fuchs, president of the Police Chief's Association, State Police Major Regina Rush-Kittle and JoAnn Calnen, president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs.
Attorney General George Jepsen spoke about how laws can help diminish the public's tolerance for widespread problems like domestic violence. He believes that since we have successfully tackled smoking and drunk driving, we can do the same in the domestic violence. "Prudent changes in the law move our civilization forward and move our society forward," Jepsen said.
Representative Mae Flexer, who also serves as chair of the Speaker's Task Force on Domestic Violence, while supporting the Coalition's legislative priorities, praised the work of domestic advocates and their partnerships with the two task forces that address the issue of domestic violence in the legislature. "Changing the public's perception of domestic violence is an important goal," said Representative Flexer. "We want to change perception from 'Why does she stay with him?' 'Why does she put up with it?' to 'Why does he think he can treat her that way."
Chief Douglas Fuchs, president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association emphasized the vital job of law enforcement in assisting victims of domestic violence. The state has a "really robust model policy in place right now" said Chief Fuchs. "These recommendations will serve as a reminder as to our important role in this process."
According to State Police Major Regina Rush-Kittle, police officers are required to take 60 hours of continuing education every three years. "The task force will recommend that four and a half hours of that training be dedicated to domestic violence, said Major Rush-Kittle. "State police will begin to be taught using the updated domestic violence curriculum on February 1, which is the beginning of the next round of continuing education at the Connecticut Police Academy." In addition, the Police Officer Standards and Training Council will work with the state police to provide additional domestic violence training to officers responsible for training their peers.
JoAnn Calnen, president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Connecticut, announced that Women's Clubs state-wide will partner with CCADV member agencies to host informational meetings at which their members can "share concerns, thoughts and priorities" about domestic violence. The General Federation of Women's Clubs throughout the country have identified domestic violence awareness and prevention as a "signature project" for the upcoming years.
A full copy of the Coalition's 2012 legislative priorities can be found on-line at www.ctcadv.org.
