The Punjabi students association presented a Domestic Violence Seminar on Monday, hosted by Diane Pirtle, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology at Cerritos College.
The seminar introduced four guest speakers: a domestic violence Survivor, Batterer, District Attorney and a Los Angeles Police Officer.
David Garcia, the survivor, grew up in a home with an abusive father. “As a kid, I thought it was normal for me and my family to have violence in our home,” said Garcia. He believed that humiliation on a daily bases was “normal,” until his mother finally left to seek help in a women’s shelter.
Years later and all grown up Garcia, has made his career a positive one that reflects on his past. He is now a domestic violence educator and State Certified Counselor for the youth. He demonstrates dramatic presentations with the use of skits to bring a better understanding for kids.
Derek Moore is a Graduated Reformed Batterer who works with Batterers to break though the denial process. He explained that the process of change was very difficult for him, but he believes that it is something that has to be worked through.
Moore attended a 52 week batterer program and lived in a sober living home. He has been clean since September 2001. One day he hopes to be a domestic violence facilitator. “I know I have a long way to go but, I know it’s the best chance for me to stay out of jail,” said Moore. “Violence is not the answer; I’ve learned that through the program.”
Meldie Malone, J.D., Professor, WSU Prosecutor, Orange County Districts Attorney’s Office explained the legal process of Domestic Violence all the way to the sentencing.
Malone put in plain words that a long time ago women were property of their fathers. When married they were property of her husband. So, anything that a woman would do wrong reflected on the husband.
Back then, it was legal for husbands to punish their wives by beating them as long as the stick used was no lighter than the circumference of your thumb. “That was the rule of thumb,” said Malone. “The law has come a long way, baby.”
She mentioned that California is at the top of the states as far as the progressive laws against domestic violence.
She stated that 95 percent of all domestic cases are dropped by women with excuses on not to press charges. After the O.J. Simpson case, domestic violence cases are no longer being dropped by the D. A.
“Certainly, (domestic violence) is not at the point where it’s legal anymore, it not at the point where it is ignored anymore, it’s not at the point where people don’t understand it anymore, it’s at the point where it’s not tolerated anymore,” said Malone.
The seminar concluded with questions and options that are available to victims of domestic violence. Shelters are open seven days a week and speak a variety of different languages to help women who don’t speak English and those who aren’t even citizens of this country.
Women are allowed to stay 30-45 days at no charge. Medical and counseling programs are available and the staff is there to help build up self-esteem. “Good words are just as powerful as bad words,” said Garcia.
