Domestic Violence

 

Katie has been involved professionally in the issue of domestic violence for the past nine years. In her role as Director of Government Relations for Sojourner Center, she has had the opportunity to help grow the largest domestic violence shelter in the country, as well as shape Arizona policies on domestic violence.

 

Domestic violence is not just a women’s issue, it is an issue that affects our entire community. In Arizona, one in three women will be victims of domestic violence, and in many of these households children are witnesses. Domestic violence is one of the most dangerous calls that law enforcement officers respond to. Domestic violence also impacts workplace productivity and can lead to incidents of workplace violence.

 

An effective response to domestic violence involves providing safety for the victims, ensuring that when they are ready to leave their abusive partner, they have a place to go. However, we also must ensure that the abusive partner is held accountable for their criminal acts. Without this, they are free to continue to harass and stalk the victim. Laws that increase the consequences for domestic violence offenses, such as making more acts of domestic violence felonies rather than misdemeanors are needed. We must also keep future generations from becoming abusers, and this will require funding for research and prevention activities.