Dear Fellow Democrats,

I appreciate all the issues that have been addressed to date, but there remains an issue that is an increasing problem to our city residents that has not been a part of the dialogue.

Sexual and Domestic Abuse is an epidemic in our homes, our schools and our neighborhoods. According to the FBI's uniform crime report, approximately one out of four women will be raped or sexually assaulted in their lifetime. One out of four of our daughters, our sisters, our mothers, our friends.

[*] Students at the University of Virginia feel that they are not being taken seriously and when abused, their cases are not being prosecuted.

Current state law does not extend domestic relationship protection laws to dating relationships, including gay and lesbian relationships.

Too often, our society turns a blind eye to the impact that Domestic and Sexual Violence has on our women, our children, and our families.

When we look at education and public safety as an issue, we must directly address violence as it contributes to the following concerns:

1. An increase in health care costs to women and children who are victimized.

2. Creating a safe and less stressful educational environment.

3. Increasing awareness and training to ensure that a woman's home is the safest place for her to be.

4. Implementing successful school programs that correct current ideologies that support, encourage and permit violence.

Issues of Domestic and Sexual Violence deserve a place at the front of our city agenda.

I would like to hear from all other candidates and current council members on how they plan to address these most pressing concerns.

Sincerely,

Joan Fenton (electronic mail, February 8, 2002)

*Editor's Note: For Department of Education Reports on violence at UVa and PVCC see Danger in the Dorm?