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State lawmaker joins on-campus discussion on domestic violence

Eric M. Jukelevics Arizona Daily Wildcat Republican Arizona Representative Kathleen Dunbar (right) and Bahney Dedolph of the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence answer questions concerning recent domestic violence legislation. Dedolph said that Arizona law enforcement officers have answered about 100,000 calls of domestic violence each year since 1996.

Speaking publicly for the first time about her experience as a victim of domestic violence, an Arizona lawmaker last night said she wants to use her knowledge to help prevent future attacks.

Arizona domestic violence legislation should protect all citizens from being hurt by family members - not just when men hurt the women they have relationships with, Rep. Kathleen Dunbar said at a University of Arizona discussion group.

"I know the hopelessness, I know the feelings," said Dunbar, a Republican. "You don't forget those things that happen to you."

Dunbar said she has a passion to protect women because she was a victim of domestic violence when she was in her 20s.

Dunbar, who represents Tucson and some surrounding areas including Summerhaven, said legislation should also protect violence in homosexual relationships as well as situations like when a grandson hurts a grandfather.

"Every citizen in the state deserves protection under the law," Dunbar said,.

Dunbar discussed domestic violence legislation and answered the audience's questions with Bahney Dedolph, director of public policy for the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in recognition of domestic violence awareness month.

The assembly, held at the University of Arizona's James E. Rogers College of Law, brought together the legislator, Dedolph and members of various women's rights groups.

Under legislation that defines domestic violence, ARS13-3601, a list of specific relationships limits who has protection. The definition excludes homosexual relationships.

Dunbar was also a prime sponsor of a 1999 bill that appropriated $800,000 from the state's general fund for domestic violence shelters.

Part of the discussion with the lawmaker revolved around domestic violence law implementation, which Dedolph said is the biggest problem in stopping the crimes.

"For all of us, I believe we will not solve the problem until we are working together and believe it is not acceptable to have violence in the family," she said.

Her coalition is beginning the Courtwatch training program to monitor how domestic violence victims are treated in courtrooms.

She said that 65 percent of calls to law enforcement officers in Arizona are for domestic violence problems but she thinks that police officers receive only four hours of training in dealing with such situations.

Dedolph said that 19,000 women and children were turned away from shelters between 1998 and 1999, mostly in urban parts of Arizona, because of a lack of funding for beds. She added that 17,000 women and children were turned away from 1997 to 1998.

"If we want to solve the problem we have to fully fund all the pieces that touch the victim and the domestic violence perpetrator," Dedolph said.

UA research technician Jeneiene Schaffer said after attending the meeting she was inspired knowing Dunbar and Dedolph are fighting to stop domestic violence.

"Although my personal situation is very terrible right now, it makes me feel good they are women who won't take no for an answer," Schaffer said.

She said police officers have to enforce laws stronger or the legislation is meaningless to women.

Cecilia, another audience member who asked to be identified without her last name, said her abuser isn't being punished due to insufficient evidence.

"They need to prosecute these men, not just for me - they need to prosecute these men because a lot of women and children will die and they have," Cecilia said.

She said she has been dragged by his car, beaten with visible bruises and that he has threatened to kill her.

"Other than a death certificate, I don't know what other evidence they want," she said.

Cecilia wants other victims to know that abusers never stop - that they find excuses to justify their violence.

"It gets worse and it never, ever, ever, ever gets better," she said.