Free talk on domestic violence Nov. 27

Here are some random tidbits on domestic violence I bet you didn't know:

According to the Nevada Domestic Violence Resource Manual, most victims of domestic violence leave their abusers — often several times. It may take a number of attempts to permanently separate because abusers use violence, financial control, or threats about the children to compel victims to return.

Additionally, a lack of support from friends, family members, or professionals (i.e., courts, law enforcement officers, counselors or clergy members) may cause the victim to return.

Since the risk of further violence often increases after the victim separates from the perpetrator, it can be even harder for victims to leave if they cannot obtain effective legal relief. Victims who receive appropriate legal assistance at an early stage increase their chances of obtaining the protection and financial security they need to leave permanently.

The new bill, SB361, expands protection for victims of domestic violence and enhances penalties, including requiring a minimum two-year prison term in cases involving strangulation by someone who has previously been convicted of felony domestic battery.

Is this a joke? Is this supposed to be some big improvement?

So, if someone strangles me and this person has already been convicted of strangling someone else, or maybe even me for the second time, then it's my lucky day?

Does anyone even realize how hard it is to get a conviction for domestic violence in the first place? So, the second time you try to hurt or kill someone means something?

Even more ridiculous is that it doesn't change anything. This is the current law:

NRS 200.481(2)(g)(2) states that if a domestic battery by strangulation is committed by a probationer, then the action is punishable by a Category B felony with a penalty of 2-15 years in the Nevada State Prison.

The other part of Bill 361 is to require employers to give up to 160 hours leave to employees who are victims of domestic violence.

Just a thought: maybe victims wouldn't need time off after getting their face bashed in if the judges enforced the pathetic laws that we have, or we could put time into getting a bill passed that isn't a rewrite of the same law.

This is 2018 and women still have to move because of domestic violence. Half of the homeless women and children in this country are running from domestic violence.

How much have things really improved? Sure it's now illegal to beat your wife, but what good are laws if they aren't enforced or adequate enough to protect the abused?

Here are the current laws: Keep in mind it's only a 12-hour hold after an arrest is made for domestic violence, so whether it will go further may depend on how things go when the abuser gets home. Think about it.

Penalties for Domestic Violence In Nevada — Offenders who commit acts of domestic violence are generally subject to the follow penalties:

— First offense within seven years: Misdemeanor offense that is punishable by imprisonment for two days to six months, 48 to 120 hours of community service, and a fine of between $200 and $1,000.

— Second offense within seven years: Misdemeanor offense that is punishable by imprisonment for 10 days to six months, 100 to 200 hours of community service, and a fine of between $500 and $1,000.

— Third (or subsequent) offense within seven years: Class C felony that is punishable by imprisonment for one to five years, and a fine of up to $10,000.

This one is a law for landlords that evict victims of violence:

"Retaliation" can be raised as a defense in an eviction case. (NRS 118A.510(2)) It could also be grounds for a lawsuit against the landlord for money damages and statutory damages up to $2,500. (NRS 118A.510(2); 118A.390)

So, we have laws against landlords for picking on victims that enforce fees higher than what we require of an abuser?

How about resources like VINE that our state pays for to help keep victims safe?

What is VINE? According to the Victims of Crime Administration, it is a service that allows crime victims to obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day.

Our Sheriff's office logs in offenders for weekend time and doesn't log them out until their weekends are served.

Yes, weekend time. Judge Wilson doesn't want offenders that have already pled guilty losing their jobs before sentencing.

Job security for offenders is important when you have no intention of sentencing what the laws say and after all probation fees need to be paid. No concern for victims or their children's safety.

The result is VINE shows the offender is in custody during week days when they are not, letting victims believe they are safe when they are not. It also allows them to accrue all of the days logged in as time served and taken off their sentence later. The police have even believed they had an offender in custody when they did not.

Maybe someone should ask our Sheriff about this as he is a big supporter of protecting victims of domestic violence.

Anyone (victims and their family and friends, or those that wants to learn and help) my next free talk for victims in the justice system is Nov. 27 at 5:30 p.m.

I also welcome anyone in law enforcement or anyone in involved in the legal process that's wants to understand what the entire journey is really like for a victim.

You are as much a part of the solution as victims advocating for themselves. We all need to take a step towards each other. I believe it's the only way to make what we have improve.

You must RSVP for this upcoming talk by calling 775-790-9679.