02.08.00

By Lee Wilburn

About 100 people gathered at the Capitol recently to plead for more money for emergency shelters and other programs to fight domestic violence, which they said cost over 100 Virginians their lives last year.

"Our ultimate goal is to stop domestic violence altogether," said Ruth Micklem, co-director of Virginians Against Domestic Violence, which sponsored the rally.

"With statewide outreach, prevention and education efforts, we can make this goal a reality, but we will need the financial support to do so."

She said domestic violence is a serious problem. In 1999, Micklem said, 125 Virginians died in family-violence-related cases.

In the same year, she added, 4,706 families were denied emergency shelter – and may have had to return home to their abusers. A night in a shelter could save a life, Micklem said.

Virginia has been behind the other states in addressing the domestic violence problem, she said. She said Virginia ranks 43rd in the country in domestic violence funding and has not increased funding since 1983.

Currently, Virginia provides $1.3 million a year for domestic violence programs. Virginians Against Domestic Violence wants to increase the amount to more than $15 million over the next two years.

Janet Forte, who coordinates the group’s Chesterfield County chapter, says the organization desperately needs more money. With additional funds, she said, the group could:

• Improve or expand shelter programs, emergency hot lines and counseling services.

• Offer programs to fight date rape and help battered women find employment.

Pat Brown, director of the group’s New River Valley chapter, said the organization provided shelter for more than 4,000 children last year. That’s critical, she said, to stop the cycle of family violence: If children see violence at home every day and don’t get help, they are more likely to repeat the behavior as adults.