Larson, Rojas, CCADV host Hartford Roundtable
SHORELINE PLUS
By Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, September 22, 2011
Hartford, CT - Domestic violence policy and program experts will join Connecticut Congressman John B. Larson and State Representative Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford) for a roundtable discussion to talk about Connecticut’s statewide response measures and federal initiatives to support victims. The event will take place on Monday, September 26th at 10:30 a.m. in Room 1C at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
This roundtable will follow up on progress made earlier this year during meetings in Washington, DC between representatives from the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) and members of Congress from Connecticut, which took place against the backdrop of the looming deadline to reauthorize the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). All parties involved are eager to bring this discussion back to Connecticut and to hear firsthand more about what more needs to be done to secure funding for vital victim services.
Domestic violence leaders in Connecticut are expected to talk about the significance of continued funding to support victims. Such an investment, they say, saves lives and money. “The cost of domestic violence to our society is high and reaches beyond the most significant aspect - that of a human life,” notes Karen Jarmoc, Interim Executive Director at CCADV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the price tag associated with medical care, mental health services and lost work productivity in relation to domestic violence is $8.3 billion annually in the United States. In Connecticut, 30% of criminal court dockets involve domestic violence cases with some 37,000 victims receiving services from court advocates each year.
In Connecticut, over 54,000 victims sought services last year from 18 community-based agencies which offer 24/7 crisis intervention, safety planning, court advocacy, counseling, and safe accommodations. These programs comprise CCADV, the state’s domestic violence leadership organization.