October is "Domestic Violence Awareness Month"

The Florida Department of Corrections victim assistance program interacts with all crime victims, including victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Sometimes it is hard to imagine exactly what we do. To illustrate, here is an example of just one of hundreds of calls received by our staff.

"Jill" (not her real name) called looking for information about an inmate incarcerated for possession and sale of cocaine. Jill told us her story of being married to this inmate for five years, and the emotional and physical abuse she and her son had to endure. Jill's son witnessed his father verbally berate his mother and brutally beat her all too often. Jill's exhusband also took their son with him as he bought and sold cocaine.

Jill was having trouble sleeping at night. She was receiving letters from her ex-husband threatening to kill her and take their son. She was in the process of moving to another state, and was going to put her telephone, utilities, and rental contract in a false name, because she feared that he would find her.

Governor Jeb Bush and Kathy Haley, victims assistance specialist.

One of the people Jill talked to in our office was Kathy Haley, a victim assistance specialist. Haley is herself a victim of domestic violence that left her in a wheelchair. She understands, as few can, the fear and desperation of Jill and her son. Haley also speaks publicly on behalf of victims. She makes presentations to inmates, both male and female, letting them experience the direct result of violence through her story.

Haley listened to Jill's story. Then she directed her to the address confidentiality program, a service sponsored by The Attorney General's Office. This program allows victims of domestic violence to have their mail routed through the Attorney General's Office. We also gave her the phone number of the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-500-1119).

We also offered Jill the option of registering with the DOC's VINE Program at 1-877-VINE-4-FL (1-877- 846-3435). VINE will notify Jill, by automated telephone message, when her ex-husband is transferred to another institution or community work release center, and when he is released (we depend on the transferring and releasing institution to enter the movement to trigger these notifications).

In 1998 more than 700,000 women were victims of assault; 1,320 were killed. Secretary Moore has placed the spotlight where it belongs . . . on the victims, not the perpetrators of violent crime.

VINE empowers those who have suffered from domestic violence, notifying victims when their perpetrator is scheduled for release or transfer from prison. This free and anonymous service is available to the public 24 hours a day. The information VINE provides can help victims make informed choices about their personal safety, an important advantage for people who seek a life free from violence.

Since 1976 the percentage of female murder victims killed by intimate partners remains at about 30 percent. Among all U.S. female homicide victims, 65 percent are killed by someone they know. If you know of someone who has been abused, who lives in constant fear of an assailant being released from prison, you can help by passing on the VINE number.

In 1998 more than 700,000 women were victims of assault; 1, 320 were killed. Secretary Moore has placed the spotlight where it belongs . . . on the victims, not the perpetrators of violent crime.

The first domestic violence awareness commemorative legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1989, and has been passed every year since. Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity sponsored by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in order to connect battered women's advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became a week, when a varied and diverse range of activities was conducted that carried a common theme: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived and connecting those who work to end violence.

The theme of this year's Domestic Violence Awareness Month is "It Is Your Business." Thanks to the support of Secretary Moore it is an important part of the business of corrections in Florida.

As employees of the Department of Corrections, we should do our part to raise awareness about domestic violence, and break the circle of violence that too often locks families in its destructive grip. The Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence runs the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline. Please help raise awareness about domestic violence, and if you or someone you know is in a violent relationship, tell them to call the hotline at 1-800-500-1119.

Hotline: 1-800-500-1119