Following last month’s resounding defeat regarding gender bias within their domestic violence treatment service centers, there has been a few changes within the West Virginia Family Services web site. There’s a new, somewhat guarded mention of men and domestic violence. But noticeably missing are the names of the board members along with their phone numbers. While admittedly there has been some fallout , the board members apparently do not wish to deal with it. So, I left yet another message for Judy King Smith, their board director, whom at this point in time, has yet to return my phone calls.
In response, the National Coalition For Men (NCFM) has drafted a letter that has been addressed to Jennifer Kaplan, one of President Obama’s policy makers at the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) within the Department of Justice. This letter has been backed by many men and women’s advocate groups across the country, including the NCFM and Men’s News Daily.
Earlier this year, Ms. Kaplan had alluded to me that “this is not what she wishes the Domestic Violence programs to be known for”, after I had approached her about multiple problems occurring within many DV programs under her jurisdiction. Instead, she incorrectly informed me that many of these programs were not receiving VAWA funding. Subsequent tracing of those monies proved that assumption to be incorrect.
Grants for funding for federally supported programs prohibit preferential treatment to, or discrimination against anyone, on the basis of race or gender. West Virginia has shown beyond the shadow of a doubt that they have already crossed that line. Yet, they continue to operate. Despite that fact, we have not yet called for an end to this funding.
What we are essentially asking for is corrective action. It would be nice to expect that to happen automatically, as it should per federal funding laws. But, I’ve seen enough from this vicious industry to know better. DV organizations are all about the money. Threaten them there and they dig in their heels. It will be status quo until a higher power steps in.
That would be Ms. Kaplan.
What truly IS needed is a serious assessment of the board of directors and their actions leading up to this decision. Sadly, funding may have to be pulled as removing this incentive may be the only way for true progress and corrective actions to occur.
Ms. Kaplan, the ball is now in your court.
You can read the entire letter here.
(editors addition) The board list is as follows:
Judy King Smith, FPSB Chair
Rape & Domestic Violence Information Center
Phone: 304-292-5100
Fax: 304-292-0204
Email: rdvic99@earthlink.net
Kathie King, FPSB Member
WV Department of Health & Human Resources
Phone: 304-558-8839
Email: Kathie.D.King@wv.gov
Judi Ball, FPSB Secretary/Treasurer
Family Crisis Intervention Center
Phone: 304-428-2333
Fax: 304-428-2398
Email: fcic@citynet.net
Lora Maynard, FPSB Member
WV Division of Criminal Justice Services
Phone: 304-558-8814 ext. 216
Fax: 304-558-0391
Email: Lora.J.Maynard@wv.gov
Barbara Hawkins, FPSB Member
Phone: 304-435-0385
Email: barblhawkins@gmail.com
