Domestic abuse awareness month

An issue few people like to talk about could get a greater focus.

Sponsored by Rep. Al Doty (DFL-Royalton), HF139 would officially designate October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Minnesota.

Approved Jan. 30 by the House Crime Victims/Criminal Records Division, the bill was sent to the House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee.

Its companion, SF87, sponsored by Sen. Paul Koering (R-Fort Ripley), awaits action by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“We have over 37,000 women and children that are served by community advocacy programs, and over 2,600 domestic assault cases a year in Minnesota,” Doty said, noting that more than 12,000 Orders for Protection are issued annually. “In a year when we are not going to be spending much money, increasing awareness is something that may prevent us from ruining a lot of lives and spending a lot of money.”

Cyndi Cook, executive director of the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women, said the federal government already recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and, although not in law, governors have bipartisanly proclaimed the same in Minnesota. “Having a month that highlights the issue has given us an opportunity to increase public awareness to support events across the state.”

Johnnie Barthel, who works with women in domestic violence relationships, said many people would rather avoid the issue when they hear fighting next door or see a bruised woman. “It’s easier to turn up the volume on the television or radio than to pick up the phone and call 911,” she said. “It is easier for us to stand in a crowd of onlookers and watch a neighbor being taken away in an ambulance or a coroner’s car.”

While supportive of the measure, Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria) is concerned it may not have much impact on such a troubling issue. “Hopefully we’ll do something more to get some awareness of the issue. … We have to be getting at the actual problem, and I’m not sure this is going to get us as far as we should go.”