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Politics & Government

Domestic Violence Seminar Empowers Community to Get Help

Judges, lawyers, law enforcement officers, shelter workers and survivors gather to provide information and help.

Legal aid, domestic counseling and protective shelters for victims of domestic violence were topics discussed at the Domstic Violence Information and Resources Workshop at the Community Center in Mountain View last week.

The Domestic Violence Workshop arose from a need demonstrated by the more than 5,000 people who called for help with domestice violence cases in Santa Clara County in 2009, nine of which resulted in death.

Co-sponsored by Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss, Mountain View's Human Relations Commission and the Domestic Violence Information and Resource Collaborative, the workshop brought together representatives from institutions such as Bay Area Legal Aid and the county sheriff's office, which set up information tables.

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Survivors of severe domestic violence cases spoke anonymously, empowering others with their stories and reminding county officials of why organizations that support victims of domestic violence are needed.

A panel of Superior Court judges, lawyers, parole officers and women's shelter representatives provided valuable information about legal proceedings in domestic violence cases. Audience members could ask general questions anonymously using written notes.

Some of the concerns included what emergency measures should be taken when domestic violence victims fear for their safety. Learning self-defense was raised as a primary source of instinctual protection, but audience members expressed fear about how the evidence in a domestic violence case could work against them.

"In a case of self defense that has caused both parties to sustain injuries, we look at factors of probable cause," said James Gibbons-Shapiro from the Santa Clara County district attorney's office. "We have to convince 12 strangers of the guilty party beyond reasonable doubt."

Reporting incidents of domestic violence and obtaining restraining orders is a sensitive issue for many victims. The abuser is commonly a domestic partner or close family member. The victim may be dependent on the person and feel compelled to protect the abuser from legal repercussions.

"Santa Clara County has a death review committee that has met annually for the past 15 years," said Gibbons-Shapiro. "Out of the 215 reviewed deaths resulting from domestic violence cases, none of the people killed over the past 15 years issued restraining orders."

While a piece of paper that requires the abuser to stay away from the victim does little to make the victim feel protected, sometimes the reality that a legal document brings to a heated situation can offer protection. The evidence of filing a restraining order can add supplemental evidence to future court cases.

Superior Court Judge Dan Nishigaya explained the different types of restraining orders available, depending on the situation. Victims can file for a short-term restraining order, which gives the filer a week to decide which longterm restraining order is appropriate, he said.

"What victims usually want is for the violence to stop, and they request what is called a 'no-harassment order,'" said Superior Court Judge Sharon Chatman. "I prefer the term 'peaceful contact order,' because what it means is that you can't harass, you can't stalk and you can't physically strike the victim."

Organizations and women's shelters are available for women who need assistance with making informed decisions and processing paperwork. Interpreters are available for people with language barriers, and organizations are dedicated to empowering women by teaching them to be independent of their abusers.

"Our organization exists to fill the service gaps that the system does not provide," said Alice Sailee from The Asian Women's Home. "We have a shelter with 12 beds, a 24-hour hotline and service employees who will go out with victims and teach them their bus route, help them learn English if needed and help them become financially independent by finding jobs."

Organizations that cater to Hispanic and Southeast Asian women are also available, all working to help domestic violence victim achieve independence.

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