Brenda Clubine

I recently had the amazing opportunity to be part of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence Legislative Action Days in Sacramento, California at the State Capitol. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not as if I haven’t been fighting for victims now for more than 28 years, it’s just that being able to be there in person and truly have the chance to make a difference opened my my eyes in a way that I found to be very profound. It became very real to me that as we met with Assemblymembers and Senators we were the voice of countless nameless, faceless victims that could not speak for themselves due to being trapped in an abusive relationship.

We spoke of how imperative it is that SBX 313 be supported, or all of the shelters across the state will have no funding as their current funds are gone effective June 30th. How can anyone ask “why does she stay,” when we have the audacity not to ensure a safe place for her to go to when she does finally garner the courage to make that step and call? I have been asked more times than I would like to admit why didn’t I leave, and I say the same thing every time. If there was a simple answer to that question I would be rich! But, there isn’t…because for everyone it is different. I could begin by saying “I didn’t know better.” Then I could say that the threats and isolation left me feeling as though there there was no place for me to go. I could say when I did get the courage to call a shelter I felt utter helplessness when I was told they were full and could not help me. I could say that my husband would tirelessly hunt me down until he would find me and remind me that I could and would never survive without him. I was nothing and I believed it lock, stock and barrel.

I am grateful to be able to go to the Capitol and know that victims voices are being heard through people like myself and the members of CPEDV as well as the Sin By Silence filmmakers. I can truly say this was an experience for a lifetime to remember and I hope that I will have many more opportunities to advocate on behalf of domestic violence victims and survivors. This was my dream come true that I had waited to do and only could dream of.

You see, we can all make a difference!!