RADAR ALERT:
Tell Congress Not To Fund Discrimination And Destruction Of Due Process

RADAR has recently released reports that reveal how the Violence Against Women Act routinely discriminates against male victims, tramples on due process protections, and undermines the family.

Today, RADAR is issuing a fourth report: "Justice Denied: Arrest Policies for Domestic Violence." The report reveals how mandatory arrest policies have turned "innocent until proven guilty" into "guilty unless proven otherwise." The report is available at: http://www.mediaradar.org/docs/Justice-Denied-DV-Arrest-Policies.pdf

Word is now getting out that VAWA is at the root of massive civil rights violations. Law enforcement programs typically train officials to think of the victim as "she" and the perpetrator as "he". A top-ranking judge, when training a class of other judges on how to handle domestic violence cases, stated:

"Your job is not to become concerned about all the constitutional rights of the man that you're violating as you grant a restraining order. Throw him out on the street, give him the clothes on his back and tell him, 'See ya' around.' We don't have to worry about the rights."

RADAR's series of reports document that this mentality is typical of those who run the system. On February 6, President Bush delivered his 2007 budget request to Congress. His budget requested $347 million for VAWA - that's $39.5 million less than for 2006. (http://www.womenspolicy.org/thesource/issue.cfm?issueID=243). By simply reallocating funding away from programs that destroy due process, and the very principles that make the U.S. a free society, this budget request will be more than sufficient to fund those victim services that demonstrably provide equal assistance for all domestic violence victims regardless of gender.

Last week FamilyViolence.org put out a desperate call saying that VAWA is "in trouble." The group called on persons to pressure Congress to provide full funding for all VAWA programs.

It's bottom of the second inning, the score is tied 1-1, and two of our men are on base. Now we're up to bat - let's bring our boys home!

This week, call the following key Senators who will make BIG decisions about the VAWA budget for 2007:

When you call or fax, urge them to approve the President's 2007 budget proposal for VAWA. The VAWA budget cuts should be directed to curbing overly-aggressive law enforcement programs, not to reducing services for victims of domestic violence.

Your telephone call or fax will help assure that VAWA stops violating the civil rights of hundreds of thousands of innocent American citizens.

Date of RADAR Release: April 9, 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