Domestic Violence

At yesterday's Domestic Violence Awards lunch Dr. Bill Vogel, Seminole County Superintendent of Schools won the Leadership award for his tireless efforts advocating against violence and drugs in our schools. Jeanne Gold of Safehouse also won atorney of the year for her efforts defending the rights of Domestic Violence Victims. Kudos to each of you!!!

Domestic Violence knows no boundaries and involves not only husband/wife or boyfriend/girlfriend relationships but it can be a nieghbor, a co-worker - anyone. My two girls and I plus a friend and her children have been recent victim of domestic violence(stalking)ourselves and I can truly say I understand fully the mental and emotional anguish and the physical symptoms all of that can cause. Thank God we were never injured physically but the fear was definitely there AND the possiblity. I have now gained an understanding and a passion for domestic violence victims - especially stalking. No one can say they understand until you have experienced it yourself. It is truly horrible!
As Norm Wolfinger stated yesterday - to PREVENT the crime is the key. Thus I plan on continuing efforts I have already begun to work together with prosecutors and legislators to eliminate all of the loopholes currently in the system that allow criminal lawyers to get these sick individuals off only to repeat their crimes, and eventually cause serious physical harm to innocent victims. THIS MUST STOP!! God bless you all and I pray for safety for us all!!