Letter: Seveney supports domestic violence prevention fund

Posted 10/26/16

To the editor:

I am a graduate student at Rhode Island College in the Master of Social Work program. Over the course of my education I have completed an extensive amount of research in the areas …

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Letter: Seveney supports domestic violence prevention fund

Posted

To the editor:

I am a graduate student at Rhode Island College in the Master of Social Work program. Over the course of my education I have completed an extensive amount of research in the areas of sexual and intimate partner violence. 

The state legislature recently created a domestic violence prevention fund to address the problem of domestic and dating violence. I have learned my senator, John Pagliarini, voted against this bill (S2900). Its primary purpose is to support programs toward preventing intimate partner violence. 

Domestic violence is a common occurrence; intimate partner violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S. every minute, equivalent to roughly 10 million men and women. More specifically, that is 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men that fall victim to some form of physical intimate partner violence. Further still, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men are victims of severe physical intimate partner violence. 

As of 2014, there have been 8,876 victims of domestic violence who have received services from domestic violence programs in Rhode Island. This number only represents those who have reported they have been physically abused by their significant other. The NCADV says roughly 75% of all domestic violence cases are not reported for a variety of reasons including fear of retaliation from the partner responsible for the abuse, lack of faith in law enforcement effectively addressing the issue, or for other explanations.

If there is an opportunity to increase prevention of domestic and dating violence I cannot understand why we would not take advantage of it. I find it deeply disconcerting that my senator didn’t think this program was worthy of his support. He is either ignorant of the magnitude of the problem or does not think prevention is worth spending money on. Regardless of the reason why Sen. Pagliarini is not supporting this bill, it has ensured that he will not be receiving my vote in this upcoming election. 

I thought it would be interesting to reach out to Jim Seveney and get his take on the issue as he, along with Sen. Pagliarini, is running in this year’s election. I learned his opinion is very similar to mine and that voting yes on this bill seems to be a no-brainer. He explained to me the funds that would be allocated for the prevention of domestic and dating violence would be gathered from a fee built into the cost of a marriage license. I cannot see a problem with spending a little extra money in order to prevent more instances of intimate partner violence. I value Mr. Seveney’s belief in this bill much like I value voting for leaders, like Mr. Seveney, who work to move our state forward in a positive direction and strive to improve the lives of Rhode Islanders. That being said, I will be voting for Jim Seveney for state senator.

Savanna Cortvriend

46 Mary Lane

Portsmouth

letters, opinion, James Seveney, John Pagliarini

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