When it comes to PTSD, how many times can Congress get it wrong?

If they understood why a lot of the domestic violence issues even begin, they would know this is not the answer. While Veterans' Courts are wonderful, it's awareness that is the real answer.

Take a PTSD vet with a wife and neither of them having a clue what it is. Toss in a flashback and a screaming wife in arms distance. You have a domestic violence case waiting to happen. Take a PTSD veteran in the middle of a nightmare and a wife, yet again, not having a clue what PTSD is, yet again in striking distance, yet again an angry wife tired of being woken up in the middle of the night, and yet again, you have a domestic violence case that did not need to happen. Congress can do whatever they want but unless and until they actually know what needs to be done, none of it will work and may in fact do more harm than good. This is an attempt to provide the support needed but they need to fund the original problem before they can try to fix it.

Domestic abuse bill brings men's rights to light
Filed Under: Civil Rights, General Assembly, Local Government, State Government
Topics: Beth McCann, John Morse

February 5, 2009
Face the State Staff Report

A bill proposing to increase fees in order to support domestic violence service agencies was heard Wednesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee. If passed, the bill would designate a percentage of funds specifically for organizations that provide domestic abuse services for military members and veterans.

Senate bill 68, sponsored by Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, and Rep. Beth McCann, D-Denver, seeks a fee increase on all applications for marriage or divorce. The bill specifies a percentage of the money collected would fund domestic abuse services provided by nongovernmental agencies or units of local government and specifically designates a percentage of the money to organizations that provide domestic abuse services to military families.

The bill's language regarding funding for military domestic abuse organizations was a source of dispute. Frequently soldiers returning from war are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, and as a result have abusive tendencies that may not have existed previous to their service.

"It is a disgrace to incarcerate more of our veterans for injuries sustained defending our country," testified military veteran and practicing psychotherapist Victor Alvarez. "Expanding these laws is not working. We're simply wasting time. If you really want to fix the problem, get people in counseling. We can't just continue to single out the accused perpetrators."

Opponents of the bill voiced concerns the current funding for domestic abuse services has done little to prevent abuse. Many of the men who testified also thought the proposed legislation would promote a misconception that men cannot be victims of abuse.

According to Dr. Charles Corry, president of the Equal Justice Foundation, domestic violence cases have nearly doubled over the last decade, meanwhile the state's population has grown by just 23 percent during this same time period. Corry maintains this disproportionate increase proves current funding is not being used effectively. click link for more