RADAR ALERT:
Massive Civil Rights Violations Under VAWA

Today RADAR is releasing a report that documents how the Violence Against Women Act, and the state laws it has spawned, routinely violate persons' civil liberties. "Without Restraint: The Use and Abuse of Domestic Restraining Orders" reveals the following:

• Each year, one-half million domestic restraining orders are issued in the United States that do not involve even an allegation of violence.
• Such orders are often sought during a divorce proceeding, often making it impossible for the father to gain shared custody.
• The issuance of both temporary and final restraining orders is done without regard for due process protections.

The report can be viewed at this address: http://www.mediaradar.org/docs/VAWA-Restraining-Orders.pdf

So now 25 organizations around the country are calling on the U.S. Congress to investigate. (See http://www.mediaradar.org/docs/VAWA-Resolution.pdf) We are asking the Judiciary Committees in both the Senate and the House of Representatives to hold hearings to make the judges who issue these orders more accountable.

It's time to stand up for our rights. This week, we're making phone calls to key members of Congress:

1. Telephone the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, James Sensenbrenner at 202-225-3951.

   Politely tell the person who answers:

   • Your name, city, and state
   • The reason for your call: "I'm calling about the recent RADAR report that documents that one-half million domestic restraining orders are issued each year without even an allegation of violence. These orders represent a massive violation of persons' civil rights."
   • Your request: "I am requesting that the Constitution Subcommittee promptly hold hearings to investigate this problem."

2. Telephone the chairman of the House Constitution Subcommittee, Steve Chabot (pronounced "SHA-bot") and tell him the same things listed in the three bullets above.

3. Telephone the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Arlen Specter, and tell him exactly the same three points listed above: 202-224-4254.
4. Telephone the chairman of the Senate Constitution Subcommittee, Sam Brownback, and give him the same message: 202-224-6521.

Your one-minute telephone call will help protect a family - and maybe someone you know -- from future restraining order abuse.

Date of RADAR Release: March 26, 2006

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R.A.D.A.R. – Respecting Accuracy in Domestic Abuse Reporting – is a non-profit, non-partisan organization of men and women working to improve the effectiveness of our nation's approach to solving domestic violence. http://www.mediaradar.org