By John Lucas

Following last month's  resounding defeat regarding gender bias within their
domestic violence treatment service centers, there has been a few changes
within the West Virginia Family Services web site. There's a new, somewhat
guarded mention of men and domestic violence. But noticeably missing are the
names of the board members along with their phone numbers. While admittedly
there has been some fallout , the board members apparently do not wish to
deal with it. So, I left yet another message for Judy King Smith, their
board director, whom at this point in time, has yet to return my phone
calls.

In response, the National Coalition For Men (NCFM) has drafted a letter that
has been addressed to Jennifer Kaplan, one of President Obama's policy
makers at the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) within the Department
of Justice. This letter has been backed by many men and women's advocate
groups across the country, including the NCFM and Men's News Daily.

Earlier this year, Ms. Kaplan had alluded to me that "this is not what she
wishes the Domestic Violence programs to be known for", after I had
approached her about multiple problems occurring within many DV programs
under her jurisdiction. Instead, she incorrectly informed me that many of
these programs were not receiving VAWA funding. Subsequent tracing of those
monies proved that assumption to be incorrect.

Grants for funding for federally supported programs prohibit preferential
treatment to, or discrimination against anyone, on the basis of race or
gender. West Virginia has shown beyond the shadow of a doubt that they have
already crossed that line. Yet, they continue to operate. Despite that fact,
we have not yet called for an end to this funding.

What we are essentially asking for is corrective action. It would be nice to
expect that to happen automatically, as it should per federal funding laws.
But, I've seen enough from this vicious industry to know better.  DV
organizations are all about the money. Threaten them there and they dig in
their heels. It will be status quo until a higher power steps in.

That would be Ms. Kaplan.

What truly IS needed is a serious assessment of the board of directors and
their actions leading up to this decision. Sadly, funding may have to be
pulled as removing this incentive may be the only way for true progress and
corrective actions to occur.

Ms. Kaplan, the ball is now in your court.

You can read the entire letter here.

(editors addition) The board list is as follows:

Judy King Smith, FPSB Chair
Rape & Domestic Violence Information Center
Phone: 304-292-5100
Fax: 304-292-0204
Email: rdvi...@earthlink.net

Kathie King, FPSB Member
WV Department of Health & Human Resources
Phone: 304-558-8839
Email: Kathie.D.K...@wv.gov

Judi Ball, FPSB Secretary/Treasurer
Family Crisis Intervention Center
Phone: 304-428-2333
Fax: 304-428-2398
Email: f...@citynet.net

Lora Maynard, FPSB Member
WV Division of Criminal Justice Services
Phone: 304-558-8814 ext. 216
Fax: 304-558-0391
Email: Lora.J.Mayn...@wv.gov

Barbara Hawkins, FPSB Member
Phone: 304-435-0385
Email: barblhawk...@gmail.com

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