Abusegate: Groups Call for Congressional Investigation of Domestic Violence Programs

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Twenty-two groups are calling for Congress to investigate allegations of widespread violations of federal law and constitutional protections by domestic violence programs, according to Men's News Daily. The names of the groups requesting the probe can be seen here: http://abusegate.mensnewsdaily.com/?p=51

Two federal laws -- the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 -- prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. But an authoritative report documents widespread bias against male victims of domestic violence: http://www.radarsvcs.org/docs/RADARreport-VAWA-Discriminates-Against-Males.pdf

Last October a West Virginia judge ruled the gender-biased practices of the state's Family Protection Services Board, which funds 14 abuse shelters throughout the state, to be "null and void:" www.acfc.org/site/DocServer/WV_Findings_of_Fact.pdf?docID=2621

The civil rights of persons accused of domestic violence are often ignored, as well. The Fourth Amendment requires evidence of probable cause before an arrest can be made, a requirement that is compromised by state-level mandatory arrest laws: http://www.radarsvcs.org/docs/RADARreport-Justice-Denied-DV-Arrest-Policies.pdf

The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees due process and equal protection under the law, a promise that is curtailed by legal assistance programs funded by the Violence Against Women Act that provide free services to domestic violence plaintiffs but not defendants: http://www.radarsvcs.org/docs/RADARreport-Bias-In-The-Judiciary.pdf

To highlight the widespread civil rights abuses, a new Abusegate, Investigate! webpage recently has been established, which can be viewed at http://abusegate.mensnewsdaily.com/.

"Addressing domestic violence has turned from an important social cause into a well-heeled industry that is crippled with inefficacy and corruption.  The new Abusegate, Investigate! webpage provides a valuable service by educating the public about these problems and offering viable solutions," notes Paul Elam, editor-in-chief of mensnewsdaily.com.

These civil rights abuses have the effect of harming father-child relationships and breaking down the family structure, forcing children into single-parent households. This places kids at greater risk of a broad range of social pathologies, including school drop-out, delinquency, and teenage pregnancy.

The groups calling for the Congressional investigation are asking that the reauthorizations of the Violence Against Women Act and Family Violence Prevention and Services Act impose strong penalties for continued sex-discriminatory practices and civil rights violations.

SOURCE Men's News Daily

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