Guinns to stay night in domestic violence shelter

Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2000 | 9:42 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn and his wife, Dema, will spend next Tuesday night at the recently expanded Shade Tree domestic violence shelter in Las Vegas to bring public focus on the escalating problem of battered women and children.

The governor said he is working on a program that will be unveiled later this year affecting families.

He made his statements Tuesday as he declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Locally, the month will be kicked off Thursday with Take Back the Night at UNLV. Events begin at 5 p.m. and will include a march, candlelight vigil and a keynote address by Tom Santoro, an advocate for the prevention of dating violence.

Also during the month, Safe Nest, another Las Vegas shelter for victims of domestic violence, is working with the Regional Transportation Commission to raise awareness. Citizens Area Transit buses are sporting purple ribbons on the rearview mirrors as a symbol of the struggle of domestic violence victims.

According to Attorney General Frankie Del Papa, there are 18,000 police reports annually, and an estimated 62,000 women contacted domestic violence programs last year in Nevada.

Guinn told reporters that the Shade Tree shelter would be opening its new $5 million facility Tuesday to provide help for women and their families. He hopes to see a similar center opened in Northern Nevada, he added.

Many battered women end up with severe depression, the governor said, adding, "We don't have the tools to treat the brunt of the problem." The women can come to work in a safe environment but then return home at night where depression sets in.

Nevada has 15 major domestic violence organizations that sponsor counseling, prevention education and victim shelter programs.

The cause of violence in the home, according to Susan Meuschke of the Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence, is "power control."

"It's not about alcohol, anger or stress," Meuschke said. Many violent men grew up in battered homes and carry the behavior with them later in life.

She said society has made excuses for far too long for violent conduct. The Legislature, Meuschke said, ordered an "intervention program" for those convicted of domestic violence. They must undergo counseling and classes for six months.

But, she added, "We can't tell you if this is the solution."