I first read about the mindboggling news out of Topeka, Kansas on feministing.com yesterday. I'm still reeling from it, because despite my ever increasing despair of the politics within the USA, there are still lengths I wouldn't imagine their authorities would go to.
Like changing city ordinances so that domestic battery (as in violence, not an electrical power source) will no longer be illegal. Which means that city court cannot try the ones who commit it. Which means that the county/district court has to. And the latter doesn't want to, because it has to shave 10% off its budget, which means that 'misdemeanors' (the least serious level of crime) have to be dealt with by the city. And guess what? Domestic violence is a misdemeanour one strikes one and two within a five-year period. (The third strike within that period becomes a felony (serious crime). ) The level of violence doesn't seem to matter, only whether or not the victim and abuser live in the same home, i.e. are family. If you beat your neighbour bloody, it's an instant felony. If you beat your partner bloody, it's a misdemeanour the first couple of times.
And now, in Topeka, KS, it might not even be a misdemeanour once the city authorities finish voting.
Why is this happening? Because neither the District Attorney's office, nor the city, want to spend money on prosecuting minor crimes. They do want the criminals to be tried and convicted, but the other's budget should cover it. It is an astounding level of cynicism, even for politicians and bureaucrats. It is a tragic example of how fragile our civilization and ideals can be once the going gets tough and we run out of money. It's heartbreaking and infuriating. They're playing chicken, and the ones who lose are the victims of domestic battery, be they the beaten and bloodied ones or the children who have to hear and see it all.
May these authorities receive the shitstorm they deserve and get thrown out of office yesterday. Shame, shame, shame!
Links:
Feministing's article: http://feministing.com/2011/10/05/topeka-kansas-considers-decriminalizing-domestic-violence-to-avoid-prosecuting-cases/
Editorial from the Topeka Capital-Journal newspaper: http://www.cjonline.com/opinion/2011-09-28/editorial-convoluted-thinking-battery-issue
Comments from a domestic abuse survivor: http://www.kansasfirstnews.com/mostpopular/story/Topeka-domestic-abuse-survivor-trembling-over-DAs/sgAbRRlYaE2M6ljJGYtzFA.cspx
