Message from WATCH founder
By Susan Lenfestey
Let’s face it, it’s been a tough spring all around. Winter’s steely grip refuses to let go, the Twins are under-achieving in their splendid new digs, and the patched and pock-marked streets serve as a daily reminder that there’s a shortage of funds and a growing list of needs.
While budgets are slashed and services cut back, the Mary Kay Foundation, which surveys over 600 domestic violence shelters across the country, reports an increase in incidents of domestic violence, and in the severity of the violence, for the third year in a row. As the economy tanks, hopes do too. The only thing rising for too many people is tension and violence.
Fortunately, there’s an array of organizations dedicated to ending domestic violence, and WATCH stands out as a model among them.
WATCH is the first organization in the country focused solely on monitoring how the justice system handles cases of violence against women. Each case brings its own complicated history to the courtroom, and it is no simple task for those in the justice system to discern what is best. But if a chronic offender walks out with no consequences, and a victim walks out feeling unheard and unsafe, respect for our system of justice is diminished.
Like most people, I’m appalled that the United States has more people behind bars than any other country in the world, and by a wide margin. This is not the sort of first-place finish I want for my country. I’m not a “lock ’em all up” sort of woman. But as former columnist and author Anna Quindlen once wrote, “Jail sentences have many functions, but one is surely to send a message about what our society abhors and what it values.”
Just as MADD brought about a cultural shift in how our society views drunk-driving by insisting that it be penalized as the serious crime it is, WATCH works to bring about a cultural shift in how we view violence against women by insisting that those who batter and rape are held accountable, and that the lives of women and girls are valued.
WATCH’s recent study of how misdemeanor level domestic abuse charges are handled in the suburban Hennepin County courts is just one example of the sort of effective work WATCH does.
The two-year study revealed, among other things, a startling disparity in continuance for dismissal rates when compared to the downtown courts (15% in the suburbs vs. 1% downtown). This results in a lost opportunity for early intervention, and as WATCH executive director Marna Anderson said,
“When the system downplays those first couple of assaults it’s doing a disservice to everybody—the abuser is not getting the services he needs to stop abusing and the victim is not getting the attention she needs so she can be safe.”
WATCH has played a role in many of the changes for the better in the 19 years since we first entered the courts. As Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said recently,
“It is rare that anyone looks at actual case outcomes and uses that information to recommend improvements…[WATCH’s suburban court] study is an effective example of this.”
Through webinars and on-site training, WATCH also helps groups across the country replicate its simple concept of keeping an eye on justice. Recently, following three years of training and technical assistance from WATCH, a Seattle monitoring group just released its first report—evaluating a new statute that gives sexual assault victims the right to file for protection orders.
Like so many organizations feeling the pinch, WATCH has cut its already lean budget back to the bare minimum by cutting staff hours and not filling positions when an employee leaves. Our budget this year of $369,250 supports 4 ½ staff positions and we are able to stretch those dollars to the limit by utilizing the talents of more than 100 active volunteers to monitor the courts each day. With their help, we continue to make a difference. A probation supervisor recently told a WATCH monitor,
“WATCH plays such an important role with the courts—you may not realize how important you are.”
All of WATCH’s funding comes from foundations and individuals. Like you. If you’ve contributed to WATCH before, we humbly ask that you give again. If you’re considering an annual gift, we hope that you’ll increase it from what you gave last year. And we would positively swoon if you would commit to a multiple-year pledge. If you have any questions about past giving, giving on-line, and/or gifts of stock, please call the office at 612-341-2747 and speak with Marna or Donna.
Seriously. We’re dedicated, we’re effective, and we need you.
