Although final statistics are not available, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services estimates that 500,000 domestic incident reports were filed by law enforcement agencies statewide in 1998. And the hairstylists program is a specific example of a great way to reach large groups of women. Watson's mother and grandmother were hairdressers in a small Texas town when she was a girl, and she remembers how they helped women change their hairstyles or the color of their hair so that they could leave town unrecognized. The point being is that a beauty parlor is a natural resource that should be used to get out critical information. But Patti Jo Newell, director of public policy and programs for the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said that while outreach programs are essential, they are only part of the solution.
Domestic abuse is a problem that demands a multilevel approach.
But whatever approach is taken needs to be buttressed by legislation and law enforcement. Since taking office in 1995, Gov. George Pataki has signed several pieces of legislation aimed at toughening criminal penalties for domestic violence and making it more likely that complaints will be taken seriously by police. But in the end, all that we can do is to encourage them to help themselves. This site Created, Maintained and Staffed by WWWeb Services. If you have questions or problems with this service, send an E-mail to WWWeb Services.