Women Against Con Men

Today I would like to share a poem written by my friend Casey Jones, who is the founder of WAC'M, Women Against Con Men.

As a teenager, I dreamt of boys to kiss….My mother stomped her feet and said "I'll have none of this!

In my 20s, I dreamt of love and a marriage that succeeded…..What I got was a man that I was attracted to, but not what I needed.

In my 30s, I dreamt of children in my arms hugging me….What I got was lots of jet lag and lonely celibacy.

In my 40s, I dreamt of a successful career and stability….But reality set-in and I got lots of expensive therapy.

For my mother was evil and my brother a psychopath….To kill a pet or torture me, would only make them laugh.

To spend long years in counseling was in itself very hard and cruel….But I survived and promised God that I would live by the Golden Rule.

It has never quite made sense to me….If they were the sick ones----why was I in therapy?

In my 50s, I dreamt of early retirement and a home that was paid for…what I got was a con artist who came knocking at my door.

But I'm not attracted to him, to my friends, I would plead….Oh, but Casey, he's exactly what you need.

He attends church and prays at every meal…He's a doctor and will love you with such zeal.

As soon as the "I dos" were said and done…He turned from kind and loving, into a barbaric hun.

And I quickly found to my dismay…..that I was the only one with money to pay.

Congressmen, Hollywood Producers and little old me, ALL HIS VICTIMS…..He's lie and steal, then walk away completely free.

I was not aware that he'd been stealing for over 30 years….Destroying people financially and leaving them in tears.

So I kicked him out, but little did he care….. For thousands more, he thought would end up in his snare.

I searched and searched ‘til Active Warrants, I did find…..Newly determined to place the "Doctor that wasn't" in a real bind.

With the Oklahoma police, I lured him into a trap….Two detectives grabbed him in Santa Fe, his capture was a snap.

And now I'm approaching 60 and wondering how it will be. ….That I have found a new career of victim advocacy.

It pleases me, to no end on my refrigerator to see….His VERY ANGRY mug shot, sharing back at little old ME.

Events scheduled for National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Check out what events will be going on in your area for National Crime Victims' Rights Week

http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ovccalendar/

From White House Advisor on Violence Against Women

This article can be found at http://thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/white-house-commits-to-ending-violence-against-women-22877.html

Lynn Rosenthal is the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, and here is an article she recently wrote.

For six months now, I have held the first-ever White House position dedicated to combating violence and sexual assault against women and continuing the important work of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).


Every morning when I’ve walked into the White House, I’ve brought with me the stories of the many survivors I have worked with over the years.

I’ve focused on raising the profile of violence against women issues across Federal Agencies, states, tribal communities, and localities; coordinating interagency collaboration on these issues; implementing victim assistance programs; and integrating these issues into Administration-wide programs such as the White House Fatherhood Initiative [1], the White House Council on Women and Girls [2], HUD’s fight against homelessness [3], and the Justice Department’s recent effort to better combat disproportionate violence in tribal communities [4].

Yesterday, I met with a group of 16 leaders of organizations that combat violence against women, provide resources for women who face domestic violence and sexual assault, and advocate for victims. During this meeting, I shared with these leaders the same information I am sharing with you — information on how the White House, through the President’s FY 2011 budget, is making combating violence against women a real priority.

Violence Against Women Act as a Budget Priority

The FY 2011 budget will provide a record total of $730 million to combat violence against women — a $130.5 million increase in funding from the previous fiscal year. The VAWA, passed in 1994, already provides thousands of victims with life-saving services, improvements in the criminal justice system and increased public awareness. The President’s FY 2011 budget not only continues this strong response, but bolsters current funding and responds to the emerging needs of communities.

Crime Victims Fund

The budget provides a $100 million increase from the Crime Victims Fund, specifically for emergency shelter, transitional housing, and other local services for domestic violence and sexual assault victims. By focusing on both immediate safety and long-term housing assistance, we can help ensure that victims don’t have to choose between living with abuse or becoming homeless. Furthermore, the Crime Victims Fund does not consist of a single taxpayer dollar; it is self-sustaining and supported by criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, and penalties for Federal offenders. In addition to a fund increase from the Crime Victims Fund, the FY 2011 budget provides $140 million for battered women’s shelters and services, an increase of $10 million from the previous fiscal year.

Victim Resources and Legal Support

The $730 million also provides vital funding for victim resources. The National Domestic Violence Hotline and Teen Dating Violence Helpline are receiving increased funding of $4.5 million to ensure every call is answered. The budget also provides $30 million in VAWA funding for victims of sexual assault — a $15 million increase from the previous year — which will be utilized by the Sexual Assault Services Program to provide crisis intervention, advocacy within the criminal justice system, support during forensic exams, and other related assistance.

The FY 2011 budget bolsters legal support for domestic violence and sexual assault victims by providing $50 million in VAWA funding for legal assistance for victims, a $9 million increase from the previous year. The Civil Legal Assistance Program will use this funding to help victims more easily obtain protective orders and other assistance available through the court system.

To build upon the above improvements in the criminal justice system, the budget also provides $188 million in STOP grants that provide better training, improved data collection, specialized law enforcement and prosecution units, and courts specialized for domestic violence and sexual assault cases.

Support Across the Board

Ending domestic violence and sexual assault is a priority for President Obama and Vice President Biden. I’ve written about numerous fund increases and initiatives that are testaments to this fact. In my meeting yesterday, the White House’s commitment to violence against women issues was clear — we are increasing support for women across the board.

Read more about our efforts in the President’s FY 2011 budget. [5]

Lynn Rosenthal is the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women