news arctile -- Domestic violence laws defended as necessary

Domestic violence laws defended as necessary
By Carol Lee Costa-Crowell, Standard-Times staff writer
2/21/98

The state's 209A restraining order law aimed at protecting women from domestic violence might not be perfect, but Rev. Robert Heskett says it is necessary.
The head of the Community Center for Non-Violence in New Bedford was reacting to members of The Fatherhood Coalition claiming the 209A is used as a weapon against them by vindictive women.
A group of men and women protested outside Fall River's 2nd District Court Wednesday when one of their members was about to go on trial for violating a restraining order.
The group contends many of the orders taken out by women are fraudulent.
Rev. Heskett isn't so sure.
"I think you first need to think how the law originated," Rev. Heskett said. "It came about because women were finally protesting. Abuse by the males battering them was making the headlines. The seriousness of domestic violence is that women were being murdered."
The 209A law was put into effect to protect women from domestic abuse before any serious harm can be done, he said.
"The law can never solve interpersonal problems. The law is only there to deal with extreme situations, primarily those that might endanger women and children," he said.
While Rev. Heskett said there may be some cases of fraudulent claims by women, they are few. But when they come through the doors of the Community Center for counseling, it is the first claim the batterers make.
"Very often that is one of the primary messages they give," Rev. Heskett said. "When they enter the program they always say that the women are responsible, if only the women listened, or the women weren't telling the truth."
Batterers are often ordered to participate in domestic violence counseling by judges who have authority under the 209A law.
"I think counseling has a very important effect," Rev. Heskett said. "It will not help everybody. But it is a positive situation for men who are willing to change."
The Community Center for Non-Violence is certified by the state Department of Public Health to conduct the battery intervention program.

Taken from: http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/02-98/02-21-98/a05lo035.htm