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Advocacy
"It's not important which talents we have. What is important is how we use the ones we have to helpothers." Barbara Bentley
HOW DID MY POLITICAL ADVOCACY JOURNEY BEGIN? After
being the victim of a psychopath husband, I became the victim of the
no-fault divorce law of California. I was told that I would have to
pay alimony, give up half of my retirement fund, and pay car and medical insurance until the divorce was final.
HOW DID I LEARN POLITICAL ADVOCACY? I knew nothing of about the inner workings of politics, let alone the
process to get a bill passed. But I had passion. I wanted to change an
unfair law so others would not have to suffer like I did.
Armed with patience and persistence, it took me almost two years to
find a legislator willing to carry the bill. I had been
told the law could not be changed. Assemblyman Richard Rainey became
my knight in shining armor. I worked with his legislative
aides and learned what it would take to change the law...step by step.
I used my organizational skills, my speaking ability and my stubbornness until I realized I had become the sponsor of the bill, a role usually filled by an organization.
HOW CAN YOU CHANGE A LAW?Click the link to read some thoughts on how to change a law. CHANGE A LAW
MY POLITICAL ADVOCACY CONTINUES In
2011, the San Diego DA responded to the plight of spousal rape victim
Crystal Harris and sponsored a bill to amend my law to extend
coverage
to victims of spousal rape. Assemblywoman Atkins introduced AB1522 in
the California Assembly. Crystal tracked me down and I
became
involved in here effort; I wrote letters to the committee members and
went up a day before the committee hearing on March 20, 2012,
to
help lobby in their offices. I also voiced my support of the changes in
the committee hearing. Crystal delivered a powerful appeal and the
committee
passed it to the full assembly. It passed the assembly and is now on
its way to the Senate Judiciary Committee. I once more wrote
letters
and went to Sacramento to testify. AB1522 made it out of the Senate
Judiciary Committee and the full Senate. The Governor signed the
bill into law in August 2012. Congratulations, Crystal. Thank you for taking a stand for victims.
WHAT OTHER TYPES OF ADVOCACY DID I JOIN? It
took me two years to break free from my victim's shroud and I entered
what I call my "going beyond self" journey. I became involved with the
Speaker's
Bureau of a local organization dedicated to eliminating domestic violence. Independently I presented "One Person Can Make a Difference" to diverse groups. I spent many years writing a book to share my experience in order to help others. I have spent countless hours promoting the book, not for sales but to educate the public.
WHAT CAN YOU DO IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? If
you observe an incident, report it to the police for intervention. If
you, a loved one or a friend thinks they are in a domestic violence
relationship,
call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 or your
local domestic violence organization for help. If you see a
wrong, and want to right it, ignite your passion and use patience and persistence to fulfill it.Remember to keep your personal safety at hand if you attempt an intervention. Call 911 if you witness domestic violence.