Last night’s episode of Glee focused on domestic violence.  Coach Biest, who is a big , athletic woman shows up to the school with a shiner.  Some of the girls are making jokes and laughing about it and she assures them and her co-workers that she got hurt working out.  Still, Sue and the swim coach insist on lecturing the girls about domestic violence, (which is good) and tell them to find a song to sing that empowers women.

So the first song they sing is from the play Chicago and it’s the one where the prisoners tell about killing their significant others.  Thus the girls completely miss the point of the lesson.  But while they are singing Coach Biest flashes back on the incident that caused the shiner and we find out her husband hit her.  When confronted by the other coaches, she admits it but says her husband was upset because she didn’t do the dishes and he was tired and had a rough day at work.  Plus he apologized immediately afterward, she says.

It’s brilliant that the writers chose Coach Biest to be the victim of DV because she is strong and athletic and a big woman and you’d would think if anyone would not be a victim it would be her.

Coach Sue insists she leave her husband and come to stay with her for the night and coach Biest says okay but ends up at her sister’s instead.  However at the end of the show we see Coach Biest returning to her husband and him saying “Thank-you” for the second chance.

I’m glad the writer’s chose that ending because as many of us know women rarely leave their abuser the first time and they often return especially  if he says he’s sorry.  I look forward to seeing how this tale plays out for these characters.

Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi pled guilt to false imprisonment of his wife to avoid the penalties that the original charges of Domestic Violence battery and child endangerment would have ensured.  He was fined, given three years probation and has to go to counseling.

Mayor Ed Lee has suspended Mirkarimi and charged him with Official Misconnduct. He was asked to step down as sheriff and refused, saying he is not guilty of official misconduct (even tho he broke the law). The mayor has worn in an interim sheriff, Vicki Hennessy, while this plays out.

In the meantime, the National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence is set to have their convention in San Francisco this week.  How Droll!!  The universe works in mysterious ways.

Teen Filmmaker Challenges Domestic Violence Among Youth | The Afro-American Newspapers | Your Community. Your History. Your News..

This young man is making a difference for teens, teaching them about domestic violence in a movie they can relate to.

A domestic violence group in San Francisco is raising money to erect a billboard that says “Domestic violence is NEVER a private matter”. This is in response to Sheriff Mirkarimi’s comment that the incident with his wife was a private matter.
They plan on erecting it near the San Francisco courthouse. Yay them!!

San Francisco sheriff Ross Mirkarimi was arrested for domestic violence. Now the funny thing (“funny oh no!”, not “funny ha, ha”) is he wasn’t sworn in yet when the incident happened. He was elected in November, the incident happens in Dec, he gets arrested in Jan, and still San Francisco saw fit to swear him in as sheriff. Unbelievable!
Apparently Ross got into a heated argument with his wife Eliana in front of his young son and a neighbor saw Ross grab his wife and bruise her. The neighbor videotaped the incident and later had a text message conversation with the wife about the incident. The neighbor’s videotape and phone were taken as evidence by the police.
Now Sheriff Ross denies the incident, of course, saying at his swearing in “It was a private family matter.” Ah yes, those lovely “private family matters” that do so much damge physically and mentally to our families.
The victim is now saying, “I don’t have any complaint against my husband. It was taken out of context.” Indeed! And just what context is getting man-handled and bruised okay?
The charges against the sheriff are domestic violence battery, child endangerment (because the son witnessed the incident) and dissuading a witness. Hmm. I wonder which one? His wife, the neighbor, or his son?
After a hue and cry in San Francisco from the press and DV groups the sheriff was finally charged and an emergency restraining order issued to protect his wife and child.
But again, a public figure gets so much more leeway. He wasn’t charged right away and he was still sworn in as sheriff!!! And because of his position and the fear of what it might do to his livelihood, and possibly threats from her husband, the victim is once again backing down.

Written by

| Associated Press

Filed Under
News
New Jersey News
Bergen County

Now I’m not a big fan of NJ Governor Christie but it seems everyone can do the right thing once in a while. He has signed into law a bill that makes it more difficult for repeat DV abusers to get out of jail. YAY Christie!!!
TRENTON — Legislation that imposes more stringent bail restrictions on those charged with violating domestic violence–related restraining orders has been signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie.

Proponents say the measure provides more protection for victims by making it harder for suspects to post bail and makes offenders more accountable for their actions.

The bill bars those accused of violating such orders from having the option to post 10 percent of their bail to gain their release.

Instead, they now will have to post the full amount or have a bail bond secured by real property equal to the bail amount plus $20,000.

Previously, suspects were able to gain freedom by paying as little as $50, not giving them much incentive to appear in court.

There also will now be a presumption that a defendant can only post full cash bail if they are accused of causing serious injury to a victim while a restraining order is in place.

That presumption also will apply when a defendant has previously violated a restraining order from that victim or has a previous conviction for domestic violence, removing the option of posting any type of bond in such cases.

Proponents of the bill cite statistics that show domestic violence is a growing global problem.

They want to make residents more aware of the issue and help ensure that victims know help is available.

An estimated 1.3 million women in the U.S. are victims of physical assault by a partner each year, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

And it is estimated that one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

The governor signed the measure Thursday, about six weeks after the state Senate approved it 38-0.

The Assembly had overwhelmingly approved the bill in October 2010.

“This is a commonsense protection,” Christie said of the bill.

“Those who demonstrate a propensity to revictimize their victims will find their options for regaining their freedom limited, as well as their opportunity to reoffend. We must always put victims of domestic violence first,” the governor said.

Great! Now Hulk hogan is comparing his ex wife to Iron Sheik and Ultimate Warrior. Hmm! Really? so it was okay to beat up on her bcuz she’s as bad as your wrestling buddies?

Another celebrity bites the dust! Back in the day Hulk Hogan was an example of the good guy. He beat up the bad guys in wrestling. Apparently he also beat up his wife. Sigh!!!!!

Finally! NJ is considering a bill that when there is a restraining order in place it extends to the pets. You may think it’s funny but many women will not leave their abuser because they know he’ll harm their pet if they do. My ex was extremely jealous of my cats and in fact he often picked on Tigger who was a meower, when he was angry at me. He would hit him and pick him up and throw him at times. I think if this bill is passed it will help women in NJ escape, because they’ll know if their abuser hurts their pet he’ll get in as much trouble as if he hurt them. Bravo NJ! Pass this bill.

Michael Lohan, Lindsay lohans father, has been arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic violence. He was arrested Monday and charged today. One of the things that strikes me (no pun intended) is that most DV charges seem to be misdemeanors, meaning no one cares. One of the original charges that was dropped is preventing a report of victimization. Meaning Mr. Lohan didn’t want people to know what he did and tried to intimidate the witness. Typical!