There are many reasons why we do not need more laws. Chief among them is the reality that if the ones we have don't prevent crime, increasing punishment by new laws won't help. Only law abiding citizens obey laws. Criminals ignore laws and are usually undeterred by them. Fear of punishment does not rule the criminal mind.
But there are sometimes larger issues which can be addressed by laws. And in that context the passage of a law can serve as a statement of public support for victims of crimes which do not get enough attention. Opposition to such laws can be misinterpreted as insensitivity to victims of crime.
I'm not advocating for or against the Violence Against Women act, because I don't get a vote. But this woman does and here is her testimony. I think it is worth your time to read this. I'm not sure enough people fully appreciate the problem. I think we need to make a public statement in support of the victims of this kind of violence.
Hear these words from Representative Jan Schakowsky (D Illinois):
I’m rising today because we must stand with the women of Congo.
And it’s not just Congo. One in three women across the planet will be raped, beaten, or otherwise sexually assaulted in her lifetime. Whether it happens in India or Indiana, rape, sexual assault, and gender-based violence are unacceptable. I’m rising today because women’s rights are human rights, and our rights are threatened every day.
I’m rising as part of a global sisterhood, a revolution of activists around the world who are committed to ending the violence. Today, in approximately 200 countries, women (and men) are joining their voices together in a global outcry to say this must be a priority.
As a member of Congress, I’m rising because women’s voices must be heard in Washington, in capital cities across the world, at the United Nations, and throughout the halls of power. As a community, a nation, and a global society we will not succeed if half our population is threatened, intimidated, or shamed into remaining silent.
After standing up for women who have been or could be the victims of violence she then goes on to accuse the republicans of waging a war on women. Of course that is non-sense, and I do not quote her in support of her flawed reasoning about such things or her pro-choice views, but to the extent that world wide violence against women is going unnoticed, I do stand in favor of our nation making it very clear, that it is both men and women who deserve equal protection.
Are the changes made to the new bill enough to justify a vote against it? I'll listen to the debate and then decide. I do acknowledge that there is ample authority for the position that passing criminal laws is the province of the states and most crimes do not require federal intervention.
But do we as a nation need to make a public statement decrying crimes against women? You're damned right we do, and on that point I stand too.
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