Domestic Violence in the Trump Era

When 50% of female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner, domestic violence is a serious problem in America. Unfortunately, the Trump administration has decided to change the definition of domestic violence and sexual assault to consider physical harm ONLY.  This eliminates the very root and nature of abuse that includes power and control, patterns of behavior, sexual violence, and emotional, economic, and psychological abuse.

What does this mean?

If a woman’s partner isolates her from friends and family, monitors and controls her actions, verbally abuses her, or controls her access to money to support herself and her children, she is NOT considered a victim of domestic violence.  Only actions that are felonies or misdemeanors are considered domestic violence.

Why is this a problem?

Victims will need to report the abuse and the abusers will need to face criminal punishment. Many victims are afraid that such calls will result in more aggravated assaults against themselves and loss of financial support that may cause homelessness for themselves and their children (if their abuser goes to prison). These women need the oversight and protection of domestic violence support programs so they can get out of these abusive relationships before it’s too late. Trump’s domestic violence program may restrict vital programs to just those who are victims of crime, not the survivors who don’t report their abuse. Most relationships start off rosy and some gradually become abusive.  This happens over time and it’s during this time that advocacy programs need to support victims so they can get away from their abusers.

We need to check in with loved ones to ensure that they are safe, and if they are not, we need domestic violence advocacy programs and funds in place to protect them.