Shat  terd

Men 

The hidden half of domestic violence

How to have eternal life

Connecticut 

CT. Governor: 'Pets are too often the silent victims of domestic violence'

"Pets are too often the silent victims of domestic violence. They cannot fight back, and they are presently afforded no protection under our current legal system."--Connecticut Governor Rell

Like most states, Connecticut does little to help protect male victims of domestic violence, even though studies show men comprise a significant minority of domestic violence victims. While male victims are ignored, Governor M. Jodi Rell (pictured) is taking measures to address a much more politically correct issue--pet victims of domestic violence.

It reminds me of my Cuban immigrant father-in-law's description of our culture--"In the American family, the mother comes first, then the kids, then the dog, then the cat, and then the father." With this new Connecticut DV law, I guess we can add the family hamster and goldfish in there before the father, too.

Ms. Rell also says:

"Threatening the pet often causes the victim to stay for fear of what might happen to the animal if they leave. Studies have found that almost half of battered women delay their escape for that reason."

Half of supposedly "battered" women stay there and get beat up over a goddamned pet? I find that hard to believe. The fact that this information probably came from domestic violence advocacy groups, who have major credibility problems, makes it even more unlikely.

The article is Connecticut Governor Rell Signs Law to Protect Pets in Domestic Violence Cases. Note that even though men are as likely to be physically attacked by their wives or girlfriends as vice versa, the entire article frames the discussion only in terms of female victims and male perpetrators.

Also, the bill "permits courts to issue orders of protection for animals owned or kept by victims of family violence," thus creating yet another way for men involved in custody cases to get in trouble and be subject to punitive action.

I criticized a similar bill here in California--to learn more, see my co-authored column  "CA Legislators Vote to Protect Pets from Domestic Violence but Deny Services to Male DV Victims" (Long Beach Press-Telegram, 4/21/07).

Connecticut Governor Rell Signs Law to Protect Pets in Domestic Violence Cases
6/21/2007

June 20, 2007 -- At a ceremony today at the Connecticut Humane Society in Newington, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell signed An Act Concerning the Protection of Pets in Domestic Violence Cases. Governor Rell thanked State Senator Andrew Roraback of Goshen, State Senator Tony Guglielmo of Stafford Springs, State Rep. Michael Alberts of Woodstock, State Rep. Joe Mioli of Westport and State Rep. John Hetherington of New Canaan for their leadership in moving the bill through the legislative process. The Governor also thanked the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence for their advocacy.

The new law, effective October 1, permits courts to issue orders of protection for animals owned or kept by victims of family violence, stalking, or harassment. The orders may, at a minimum, prohibit respondents or defendants from injuring or threatening to injure the animals. In family violence cases, the order may be a civil restraining, or criminal protective, order.

One way to further traumatize the human target of domestic violence is to injure or kill that person's beloved pet. When domestic violence erupts, family pets are often the first target because abusers understand and exploit the deep bond between pets and family members...

(please click above to vote for this site)

JUNE is Domestic Violence Against Men Awareness Month