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Abuse must stop

Category : Government & Politics

Type: Public Membership
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Founded: Mar 26, 2007 9:39 PM
Location: All US
Vermont-US
Member(s): 327
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<center><a href="http://groups.myspace.com/1muststopabuse42" target="_blank"><img src="http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w98/mikeydinvt/childabuse1Animation.gif"></a></center>

Hello.In this group our subject is Child abuse. It is a problem that is felt world wide and here in the Good old USA. It a problem that for far to long has been swept under the proverbial rug. I have known about this problem for many years as have we all. It never occurred to me ( I am ashamed to say) to investigate the laws in my state on this subject, until I felt that a member of my own family was being ill treated. I thought I would just go on line and see what laws might apply to the situation. I was surprised to find that Vermont had very little in the way protecting Children against abuse in the statutes. I was even shocked to find out that the laws we do have not been changed since 1978. In the laws that we do have, that I was able to find, they refer to physical abuse or fear of physical abuse. Not one of the laws I found made mention of emotional or mental abuse. There are many forms of abuse and each state writes there own laws. I have not researched every state for their laws on child abuse so I do not know what other states do about this issue. I would not be surprised to find that they lack as well. The act of abusing a child is one of the worst things I can think of to do. It changes the child in so many way and does harm to the child that may not be seen for many years. I would like to know how other feel about this issue and what other states have done or not done to protect the children of today who will become the future of tomorrow.

One man can not change the future of the world alone. He can, set in motion an event which others will join. Thus one person becomes many and with many the world will be changed.

Through this group I hope that others will join me and through all of us we can find a way to save the children from a life time of abuse.



Group Rules for posts.I have a few simple rules for making posts. I had hoped I would not have to put any up but in order to attempt to Keep this group on track I am going to set just a few rules about making Posts.
Rules;
1. NO posts or Bulletins that make requests for donations of any kind for any reason will be allowed. Any such posts or bulletins will be pull without notice.
2. If you wish to put a link in your post you must get consent from me before it is posted or it may be pulled.
Lets hope these are the only rules I have to make for this group. If you have a question about the what you would like to post please feel free to ask me.



Check your State laws.
To the right I have provided a list of all the states and their web sites where you may go and search for your states laws on child abuse. Most of these site provide links to “Government” where you can find your statutes on line or direct link to statutes on line. I found the laws in my state with a simple search of the statutes for “child abuse”. I urge each member to check out your own state laws on this issue. You may be very shocked to find that children are not protected as well as you have thought.
Alabama

http://www.alabama.gov/portal/index.jsp



Alaska

http://www.state.ak.us/



Arizona

http://az.gov/webapp/portal/



Arkansas

http://www.state.ar.us/



California

http://www.ca.gov/



Colorado

http://www.colorado.gov/



Connecticut

http://www.ct.gov/



Delaware

http://www.delaware.gov/



Florida

http://www.floridalawonline.net/



Georgia

http://www.georgia.gov/00/home/0,2061,4802,00.html;jsessi..5432370A503AA99E0DF0C98FB16057A3



Hawaii

http://www.hawaii.gov/portal/



Idaho

http://www.state.id.us/



Illinois

http://www.illinois.gov/



Indiana

http://www.state.in.us/



Iowa

http://www.iowa.gov/state/main/index.html



Kansas

http://www.state.ks.us/



Kentucky

http://www.kentucky.gov/



Louisiana

http://www.state.la.us/wps/wcm/connect/Louisiana.gov/Home/



Maine

http://www.maine.gov/



Maryland

http://www.maryland.gov/portal/server.pt?



Massachusetts

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=mg2homepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=massgov2



Michigan

http://www.michigan.gov/



Minnesota

http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=NorthStar



Mississippi

http://www.state.ms.us/ms_sub_template.jsp?Category_ID=2



Montana

http://mt.gov/



Nebraska

http://www.loc.gov/law/guide/us-ne.html





New Hampshire

http://www.nh.gov/



New Jersey

http://www.state.nj.us/



New Mexico

http://www.newmexico.gov/



New York

http://www.state.ny.us/



North Carolina

http://www.ncgov.com/



North Dakota

http://www.nd.gov/



Ohio

http://www.ohio.gov/



Okalahoma

http://www.state.ok.us/



Oregon

http://www.oregon.gov/



Pennsylvania

http://www.state.pa.us/



Rhode Island

http://www.ri.gov/



South Carolina

http://www.megalaw.com/sc/sc.php



South Dakota

http://www.state.sd.us/



Tennessee

http://www.state.tn.us/



Texas

http://www.texas.gov/



Utah

http://www.utah.gov/



Vermont

http://vermont.gov/



Virginia

http://www.state.va.us/cmsportal2/



Washington

http://access.wa.gov/



West Virginia

http://www.wv.gov/



Wisconsin

http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/home/app?COMMAND=gov.wi.state.cpp.command.LoadPortalHome



Wyoming

http://wyoming.gov/

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CONTACT YOUR SENATORS.
To the right I have provided a list of all the state Senators and links to contact them Please write them letters about laws on child abuse. Tell them about the Future Laws that you support, and the Laws you feel need to be changed. Give them suggestions about Laws you feel we should have. Please tell them that children are not protected as well as they should be.
Akaka, Daniel K.- (D - HI)

141 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6361
Web Form: akaka.senate.gov/email.cfm



Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)

455 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4944
Web Form: alexander.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home



Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)

521 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5941
Web Form: allard.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home



Barrasso, John- (R - WY)

307 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6441


Baucus, Max- (D - MT)

511 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2651
Web Form: bayh.senate.gov/WebMail1.htm



Bennett, Robert F.- (R - UT)

431 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5444
Web Form: bennett.senate.gov/contact/emailmain.html



Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)

201 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5042
Web Form: biden.senate.gov/contact/emailjoe.cfm



Bingaman, Jeff- (D - NM)

703 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5521
E-mail: senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov



Bond, Christopher S.- (R - MO)

274 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5721
Web Form: bond.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm



Boxer, Barbara- (D - CA)

112 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3553
Web Form: boxer.senate.gov/contact



Brown, Sherrod- (D - OH)

455 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2315
Web Form: brown.senate.gov/contact.cfm



Brownback, Sam- (R - KS)

303 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6521
Web Form: brownback.senate.gov/CMEmailMe.cfm



Bunning, Jim- (R - KY)

316 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4343
Web Form: bunning.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email



Burr, Richard- (R - NC)

217 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3154
Web Form: burr.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home



Byrd, Robert C.- (D - WV)

311 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3954
Web Form: byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html



Cantwell, Maria- (D - WA)

511 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3441
Web Form: cantwell.senate.gov/contact/index.html



Cardin, Benjamin L.- (D - MD)

509 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4524
Web Form: cardin.senate.gov/contact/



Carper, Thomas R.- (D - DE)

513 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2441
Web Form: carper.senate.gov/aemail.htm



Casey, Robert P., Jr.- (D - PA)

383 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6324
Web Form: casey.senate.gov/contact.cfm




Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)

416 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3521
Web Form: chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact



Clinton, Hillary Rodham- (D - NY)

476 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4451
Web Form: clinton.senate.gov/contact



Coburn, Tom- (R - OK)

172 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5754
Web Form: coburn.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home




Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)

113 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5054
Web Form: cochran.senate.gov/contact.htm



Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)

320 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5641
Web Form: coleman.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm



Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)

413 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2523
Web Form: collins.senate.gov/public/continue.cfm?FuseAction=Contact



Conrad, Kent- (D - ND)

530 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2043
Web Form: conrad.senate.gov/webform.html




Corker, Bob- (R - TN)

185 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3344
Web Form: corker.senate.gov/Contact/index.cfm



Cornyn, John- (R - TX)

517 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2934
Web Form: cornyn.senate.gov/contact/index.html



Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)

520 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2752
Web Form: craig.senate.gov/email/



Crapo, Mike- (R - ID)

239 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6142
Web Form: crapo.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm



DeMint, Jim- (R - SC)

340 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6121
Web Form: demint.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home



Dodd, Christopher J.- (D - CT)

448 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2823
Web Form: dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3130



Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)

555 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6342
Web Form: dole.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.



Domenici, Pete V.- (R - NM)

328 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6621
Web Form: domenici.senate.gov/contact/contactform.cfm



Dorgan, Byron L.- (D - ND)

322 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2551
E-mail: senator@dorgan.senate.gov



Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)

309 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2152
Web Form: durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm



Ensign, John- (R - NV)

119 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6244
Web Form: ensign.senate.gov/forms/email_form.cfm



Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)

379A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3424
Web Form: enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInfo



Feingold, Russell D.- (D - WI)

506 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5323
Web Form: feingold.senate.gov/contact_opinion.html



Feinstein, Dianne- (D - CA)

331 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3841
Web Form: feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact



Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)

290 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5972
Web Form: lgraham.senate.gov/index.cfm?mode=contact



Grassley, Chuck- (R - IA)

135 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3744
Web Form: grassley.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home



Gregg, Judd- (R - NH)

393 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3324
Web Form: gregg.senate.gov/sitepages/contact.cfm



Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)

248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4224
Web Form: hagel.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home



Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)

731 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3254
Web Form: harkin.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm



Hatch, Orrin G.- (R - UT)

104 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5251
Web Form: hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Offices.Contact



Hutchison, Kay Bailey- (R - TX)

284 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5922
Web Form: hutchison.senate.gov/contact.html



Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)

453 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4721
Web Form: inhofe.senate.gov/contactus.htm



Inouye, Daniel K.- (D - HI)

722 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3934
Web Form: inouye.senate.gov/abtform.html



Isakson, Johnny- (R - GA)

120 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3643
Web Form: isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm



Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)

136 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5842
Web Form: johnson.senate.gov/emailform.cfm



Kennedy, Edward M.- (D - MA)

317 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4543
Web Form:



Kerry, John F.- (D - MA)

304 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2742
Web Form: kerry.senate.gov/v3/contact/email.html



Klobuchar, Amy- (D - MN)

302 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3244
Web Form: klobuchar.senate.gov/emailamy.cfm




Kohl, Herb- (D - WI)

330 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5653
Web Form: kohl.senate.gov/gen_contact.html



Kyl, Jon- (R - AZ)

730 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4521
Web Form: kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm



Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)

724 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5824
Web Form: landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm



Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)

324 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3224
Web Form: lautenberg.senate.gov/contact/



Leahy, Patrick J.- (D - VT)

433 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4242
E-mail: senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov



Levin, Carl- (D - MI)

269 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6221
Web Form: http://levin.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm



Lieberman, Joseph I.- (ID - CT)

706 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4041
Web Form: lieberman.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm?regarding=issue



Lincoln, Blanche L.- (D - AR)

355 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4843
Web Form: lincoln.senate.gov/webform.html



Lott, Trent- (R - MS)

487 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6253
Web Form: lott.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email



Lugar, Richard G.- (R - IN)

306 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4814
E-mail: senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov



Martinez, Mel- (R - FL)

356 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3041
Web Form: martinez.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInfo



McCain, John- (R - AZ)

241 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2235
Web Form: mccain.senate.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=Contact.Home



McCaskill, Claire- (D - MO)

717 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6154
Web Form: mccaskill.senate.gov/contact.cfm



McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)

361-A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2541
Web Form: http://mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm



Menendez, Robert- (D - NJ)

317 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4744
Web Form: http://menendez.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm



Mikulski, Barbara A.- (D - MD)

503 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4654
Web Form: mikulski.senate.gov/mailform.html



Murkowski, Lisa- (R - AK)

709 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6665
Web Form: murkowski.senate.gov/contact.cfm



Murray, Patty- (D - WA)

173 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2621
Web Form: murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm



Nelson, Bill- (D - FL)

716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5274
Web Form: billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm



Nelson, E. Benjamin- (D - NE)

720 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6551
Web Form: bennelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm



Obama, Barack- (D - IL)

713 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2854
Web Form: obama.senate.gov/contact/



Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)

255 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2353
Web Form: pryor.senate.gov/contact/



Reed, Jack- (D - RI)

728 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4642
Web Form: reed.senate.gov/contact/contact-share.cfm



Reid, Harry- (D - NV)

528 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3542
Web Form: reid.senate.gov/contact/email_form.cfm



Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)

109 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4774
Web Form: roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInfo



Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)

531 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6472
Web Form: rockefeller.senate.gov/services/email.cfm



Salazar, Ken- (D - CO)

702 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5852
Web Form: salazar.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm



Sanders, Bernard- (I - VT)

332 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5141
Web Form: sanders.senate.gov/comments/



Schumer, Charles E.- (D - NY)

313 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6542
Web Form: schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/webform.cfm



Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)

335 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4124
Web Form: sessions.senate.gov/email/contact.cfm



Shelby, Richard C.- (R - AL)

110 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5744
E-mail: senator@shelby.senate.gov



Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)

404 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3753
Web Form: gsmith.senate.gov/webform.htm



Snowe, Olympia J.- (R - ME)

154 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5344
Web Form: snowe.senate.gov/contact.htm



Specter, Arlen- (R - PA)

711 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4254
Web Form: specter.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInfo.Home



Stabenow, Debbie- (D - MI)

133 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4822
Web Form: stabenow.senate.gov/email.htm



Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)

522 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3004
Web Form: stevens.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact



Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)

111 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2841
Web Form: www.sununu.senate.gov/webform.html



Tester, Jon- (D - MT)

204 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2644
Web Form: tester.senate.gov/Contact/



Thune, John- (R - SD)

493 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2321
Web Form: thune.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home



Vitter, David- (R - LA)

516 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4623
Web Form: vitter.senate.gov/?module=webformIQV1



Voinovich, George V.- (R - OH)

524 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3353
Web Form: voinovich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact



Warner, John- (R - VA)

225 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2023
Web Form: warner.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm




Webb, Jim- (D - VA)

144 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4024
Web Form: webb.senate.gov/contact/




Whitehouse, Sheldon- (D - RI)

502 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2921
Web Form: whitehouse.senate.gov/contact.cfm



Wyden, Ron- (D - OR)

230 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5244
Web Form: wyden.senate.gov/contact.html







Here is how I got started on this and what I have done so far in Vermont.

Let me start by saying that I was concerned about the way a member of my family was being treated by a very close relation. I felt that the mental and emotional crap this child was being put through was nothing less than abusive. I thought that Vermont being a progressive enough state to allow gay couples to be joined must have laws to protect children against such abuse. I searched the laws and found that I was wrong. No such law exists to protect kids from mental or emotional abuse. I wrote a letter to my local state law maker who agreed that the laws needed changing. I contacted a friend who helped me to send letters to every law maker in the state of Vermont. All totaled we got three responses, Two of which said they would write new legislation. I even sent what I thought was a start on things that should be changed. After the new session commenced I check to see what progress had been make. Not one bit. Not even a bill or suggestion of one in the records. No committee to study the issue No Nothing. I sent another letter out to every member elected to office. Not so much as one reply in well over a month. I guess the well-being of the children of this state is far less important than getting people to stop talking to their pets while in car. Yes there is a new bill to make that illegal. But I guess most of the kids will live through abuse even if they are scared for life but don't talk to your pet while your driving your car, That is surely a crime. I digress sorry. Any way below is the letter I wrote, complete with some changes I suggested.


Dear Vermont Law Makers,


My name is Michael Descoteaux. For some of you this is not the first time you have seen this letter and for other it will be the first time. I am writing to you because I am concerned about the Safety and well-being of Vermont's children and that of the children of this country.

I have researched Vermont's laws on Child abuse and I am saddened to discover that from what I have been able to find, our laws are lacking, not only in content but also in conviction. The only laws I was able to find refer specifically to Physical harm of a child or fear of imminent serious physical harm. How is it that we as a people can claim to be protecting our children when our own laws state that a child must endure serious physical harm or be in fear of serious physical harm before he or she can be protected. It seems absurd that a child has to have, or be threatened with, broken bones and or death before we can protect them. I have found no mention in any of the laws as to the protection of our children from mental or emotional abuse, which can be far more devastating to a child than a broken bone and the long term effects are carried with the child for the rest of his or her life and then passed down to the next generation. It seems to me to be a sad day in Vermont's history when there are more laws to protect our dogs and cats than there are to protect our children. It seems that our laws serve to protect the civil liberties of the abuser, while the children, that will one day be our future, are left to suffer. I was shocked to discover that in Miami Florida a person is subject to, up to five years in jail or a fine of $5,000.00 or both for cruelty to a dog and in Vermont a person can spend not more than two years in jail or a fine of not more than $500.00 or both for cruelty of a child. Can we truly claim to be protecting our children when our laws place such a low value on their well-being? Do the children of Vermont not have the right to grow up outside of the influence of an abusive adult or parent? Why are the civil liberties of an abuser more important than those of a child. Is there no way to protect Vermont's future from the mental and emotional abuse of an adult who should know better? Is there no way that you, as the law makers of Vermont, can better protect these innocent souls from those who seek to destroy them just because they can? I understand that such things as mental and emotional abuse are difficult to prove in a court of law but it is impossible to even try if there is no law against it. I beseech you to work on the existing laws and create new laws that
will protect the children of Vermont. I implore you, in the name of those who can not speak for themselves, to save the children. It is our duty and our obligation to serve and protect the children from harm. One day it will be their duty and obligation to serve and protect us from harm. What will they do to protect us tomorrow if we do nothing to protect them today?


Mr. Illuzzi and Ms Peaslee as well as Mr. Larson have expressed an interest in What I feel should be changes made to the Vermont Statutes. It is my hope that The changes you find below in this message will reach the house floor this year And pass with overwhelming support from all parties. This issue to far to important
To be divided by party lines. These changes are not for one person, but for the whole of Vermont and it very future. Our children, our future. Please pledge your support for the changes in the laws.




Good morning

Thank you again for replying to my request to be heard. There are in fact 3 statutes that come to mind that are in need of amending. I have copied them directly from the Vermont statutes online web page and below each one have listed purposed changes.


Title 13: Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Chapter 25: CHILDREN AND INCOMPETENT PERSONS

13 V.S.A. § 1304. Cruelty to children under ten by one over sixteen





§ 1304. Cruelty to children under ten by one over sixteen



A person over the age of sixteen years, having the custody, charge or care of a child under ten years of age, who wilfully assaults, ill treats, neglects or abandons or exposes such child, or causes or procures such child to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned or exposed, in a manner to cause such child unnecessary suffering, or to endanger his health, shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $500.00, or both. (Amended 1971, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 15.)



Purposed amendment;

(1) This statute would better serve the children if it included physical abuse, mental abuse and emotional abuse.

(2) This statute would also better deter repeat offences if the penalty was increased to 5 years imprisonment and or a $5,000.00 fine.

(3) This statute does not include children between the ages of 10 and 16.



Title 13: Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Chapter 25: CHILDREN AND INCOMPETENT PERSONS

13 V.S.A. § 1305. Cruelty by person having custody of another



§ 1305. Cruelty by person having custody of another



A person having the custody, charge, care or control of another person, who inflicts unnecessary cruelty upon such person, or unnecessarily and cruelly fails to provide such person with proper food, drink, shelter or protection from the weather, or unnecessarily and cruelly neglects to properly care for such person, shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $200.00, or both. (Amended 1971, No. 199 (Adj.

Sess.), § 15.)



Purposed amendments;



(1) This statute would be better served if it included physical abuse, mental abuse and emotional abuse.

(2) This statute would also better deter repeat offences if the penalty was increased to 5 years imprisonment and or a $5,000.00 fine.

(3) This statute does not include assault.



Title 13 chapter 25 purposed amendments;

(1) Title 13 chapter 25 has no definitions for the words "cruelty", "ill treats" or "abuse" (other than as defined in Title 15 chapter 21 subchapter 1101, see below.



Title 15: Domestic Relations

Chapter 21: ABUSE PREVENTION

15 V.S.A. § 1101. Definitions




§ 1101. Definitions


The following words as used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:

(1) "Abuse" means the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between family or household members:



(A) attempting to cause or causing physical harm;

(B) placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm;

(C) abuse to children as defined in subchapter 2 of chapter 49 of Title
33.


(2) "Household members" means persons who, for any period of time, are living or have lived together, are sharing or have shared occupancy of a dwelling, are engaged in or have engaged in a sexual relationship, or minors or adults who are dating or who have dated. "Dating" means a social relationship of a romantic nature. Factors that the court may consider when determining whether a dating relationship exists or existed include:

(A) the nature of the relationship;

(B) the length of time the relationship has existed;

(C) the frequency of interaction between the parties;

(D) the length of time since the relationship was terminated, if

applicable.

(3) A "foreign abuse prevention order" means any protection order issued by the court of any other state that contains provisions similar to relief provisions authorized under this chapter, the Vermont Family Court Rules or chapter 69 of Title 33.

(4) "Other state" and "issuing state" shall mean any state other than Vermont and any federally recognized Indian tribe, territory or possession of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the District of Columbia.

(5) A "protection order" means any injunction or other order issued for
the purpose of preventing violent or threatening acts or harassment against, or contact or communication with or physical proximity to, another person, including temporary and final orders issued by civil and criminal courts, other than support or child custody orders, whether obtained by filing an independent action or as a pendente lite order in another proceeding so long as any civil order was issued in response to a complaint, petition or motion filed by or on behalf of a person seeking protection.

(6) "Family" shall include a reciprocal beneficiary. (Added 1979, No. 153

(Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1981, No. 207 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 25,

1982; No. 218 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1991, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 14; 1995,

No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 26, eff. May 15, 1996; 1997, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.),

§ 4; 1999, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 38; No. 124 (Adj. Sess.), § 10.

purposed amendment;

(1) This statute would better serve all if the word "abuse" was also defined to include mental and emotional harm.

(2) This statute would be better served if the word "children" or

"child" was defined as any person under the age of 18 without exception.

13 V.S.A. § 1304 and 1305 have not been amended since 1971 and 15 V.S.A. § 1101 was last amended in 1999. I feel that all three of these statutes are very much out of date and have failed to protect the children of Vermont for many years. I hope that you feel that the changes I have suggested will help to sever to protect our children better. They are our future and they need and deserve our help.

I thank you for your time and assistance as will the children.

Michael Descoteaux

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If you are a Vermont Resident and would like to send a copy of the above letter to our wonderful concerned law makers please feel free to do so or even write your own letter. Below I have listed all the names and email addresses you will need.



Representative State House Address Home Address Work Address
Joe Acinapura acinapur@together.net

Steven Adams stevenadams@leg.state.vt.us
scadams@vermontel.net

David Allaire ALLS51@aol.com

George Allard gallard@leg.state.vt.us

Janet Ancel JAncel@leg.state.vt.us

Kenneth Atkins katkins@leg.state.vt.us
kwa138@aol.com

Joseph Baker jbaker@leg.state.vt.us
littledodgetruck@cs.com
joseph.baker@ae.ge.com

Denise Barnard DBarnard@leg.state.vt.us
dbbcuts@aol.com

Philip Bartlett pbartlett@leg.state.vt.us

Lynn Bohi lbohi@leg.state.vt.us
clbohi@sover.net

Donald Bostic dbostic@leg.state.vt.us
Bostic@kingcon.com

Bill Botzow bbotzow@leg.state.vt.us
botzow@sover.net

Carolyn Whitney Branagan cbranagan@leg.state.vt.us
dunmore@adelphia.net

Patrick Brennan pbrennan@leg.state.vt.us
patrickbrennan96@msn.com

William Canfield WCanfield@leg.state.vt.us

Harry Chen hchen@leg.state.vt.us

Gregory Clark gsclark@adelphia.net

Alison Clarkson aclarkson@leg.state.vt.us

Jim Condon JCondon@leg.state.vt.us
jim@condonforcolchester.com

Sarah Copeland-Hanzas SCopelandHanzas@leg.state.vt.us

Timothy Corcoran tcorcoran@leg.state.vt.us

George Cross gcross@leg.state.vt.us

Stephen Dates SDates@leg.state.vt.us
sdates@adelphia.net

David Deen ddeen@leg.state.vt.us

Andrew Donaghy adonaghy@leg.state.vt.us
andy05764@aol.com

Anne Donahue adonahue@leg.state.vt.us
counterp@tds.net

Johannah Leddy Donovan jdonovan@leg.state.vt.us
jdonovan38@adelphia.net

Robert Dostis rdostis@leg.state.vt.us
rdostis@adelphia.net

Brian Dunsmore bdunsmore@leg.state.vt.us

Sarah Edwards sedwards@leg.state.vt.us
sedwards1515@yahoo.com

Alice Emmons AEmmons@leg.state.vt.us

Kevin Endres kendres@leg.state.vt.us
Kendresult@msn.com

Joyce Errecart jerrecart@usa.net

Debbie Evans DEvans@leg.state.vt.us
ekavans@aol.com

Gail Fallar gfallar@leg.state.vt.us
gfallar@sover.net
tinmouth@tax.state.vt.us

Michael Fisher mfisher@leg.state.vt.us

Margaret Flory pflory@leg.state.vt.us
mkf3229@yahoo.com

William Frank Rep.BillFrank@verizon.net

Patsy French pfrench@leg.state.vt.us

Avis Gervais agervais@leg.state.vt.us

Maxine Jo Grad mgrad@leg.state.vt.us
maxjg@wcvt.com

Stephen Green SGreen@leg.state.vt.us
sjgreen@sover.net

Sandy Haas SHaas@leg.state.vt.us
shaas@sover.net

Helen Head hhead@leg.state.vt.us
helen.head@verizon.net

Martha Heath mpheath@aol.com

Robert Helm rhelm@leg.state.vt.us

Carol Hosford CHosford@leg.state.vt.us
crhosford@madriver.com

Connie Houston chouston@leg.state.vt.us

Steven Howard showard@leg.state.vt.us

Richard Hube Huberick@sover.net

Peter Hunt pdhunt@leg.state.vt.us
pdhunt@yahoo.com

Jim Hutchinson JHutchinson@leg.state.vt.us

Tim Jerman TJerman@leg.state.vt.us
vrunner56@aol.com

Willem Jewett wjewett@leg.state.vt.us
wjewett@adelphia.net

Mitzi Johnson mjohnson@leg.state.vt.us

Kathleen Keenan kkeenan@leg.state.vt.us

Sylvia Kennedy skennedy@leg.state.vt.us
peansk@juno.com

Bill Keogh BillK21@adelphia.net

Duncan Kilmartin dkilmartin@leg.state.vt.us
rexkilvt@together.net

Warren Kitzmiller wkitzmiller@leg.state.vt.us
warren@kitzmiller.com

Tony Klein tklein@leg.state.vt.us
tklein@adelphia.net

Thomas Koch tkoch@leg.state.vt.us

Patti Komline pkomline@leg.state.vt.us

Joseph Krawczyk jkrawczyk@leg.state.vt.us
krawjc@sover.net

Michele Kupersmith MKupersmith@leg.state.vt.us

Leigh Larocque llarocque@leg.state.vt.us

Steve Larrabee slarrabee@leg.state.vt.us

Mark Larson mlarson@leg.state.vt.us
marklvt@verizon.net

Kathy LaBelle LaVoie klavoie@leg.state.vt.us
Kathy.Lavoie2@verizon.net

Richard Lawrence RLawrence@leg.state.vt.us

Lucy Leriche LLeriche@leg.state.vt.us
leriche@adelphia.net

William Lippert wlippert@leg.state.vt.us

Judith Livingston jlivingston@leg.state.vt.us
jlivings@adelphia.net

Jason Lorber jlorber@leg.state.vt.us

Christopher Louras CLouras@leg.state.vt.us
lourizal@sover.net

Steven Maier smaier@leg.state.vt.us

John Malcolm JMalcolm@leg.state.vt.us

Michael Marcotte MMarcotte@leg.state.vt.us
jimkwik@surfglobal.net

Richard Marek rmarek@leg.state.vt.us

Richard Marron rmarron@leg.state.vt.us
Dickmarron@aol.com

Clint Martin cmartin@leg.state.vt.us
ctm@vermontel.com

Linda Martin LMartin@leg.state.vt.us
wildermont@pshift.com
wolcott@pshift.com

Jim Masland jmasland@leg.state.vt.us
jmasland@valley.net

Norman McAllister nmcallister@leg.state.vt.us

Jim McCullough jmccullough@leg.state.vt.us

Francis McFaun FMcFaun@leg.state.vt.us

Rosemary McLaughlin rmclaughlin@leg.state.vt.us
rozo@valley.net

Alice Miller amiller@leg.state.vt.us

Warren Miller wmiller@leg.state.vt.us
elmorestor@aol

Sue Minter SMinter@leg.state.vt.us
sue@sueminter.com

Anne Mook AMook@leg.state.vt.us
annemook@hotmail.com

John Morley jmorley@leg.state.vt.us
johnmorley@adelphia.net

Mary Morrissey mmorrissey@leg.state.vt.us

Linda Myers lmyers@leg.state.vt.us
themyers@attglobal.net

Floyd Nease fnease@leg.state.vt.us

Kathrine Niquette KNiquette@leg.state.vt.us
RennNiquette@aol.com

Alice Nitka anitka@leg.state.vt.us
maples@ludl.tds.net

Betty Nuovo bnuovo@leg.state.vt.us

Pat O'Donnell odonnell2@adelphia.net

Michael Obuchowski obie@leg.state.vt.us

Scott Orr scottorrforhouse@yahoo.com

Harvey Otterman hotterman@leg.state.vt.us

Alan Parent aparent@leg.state.vt.us
aparent2002@hotmail.com
aparent@pizzagalli.com

Carolyn Partridge cpartridge@leg.state.vt.us
hoparwel@sover.net

Christopher Pearson cpearson@leg.state.vt.us

Janice Peaslee jpeaslee@leg.state.vt.us

Kathy Pellett KPellett@leg.state.vt.us
kathy4house@vermontel.net

Albert Perry aperry@leg.state.vt.us
perryvt@together.net

Mary Peterson mpeterson@leg.state.vt.us
marypeterson@adelphia.net

Daryl Pillsbury dpillsbury@leg.state.vt.us

Dave Potter DPotter@leg.state.vt.us
shadmtn@msn.com

Ann Pugh apugh@leg.state.vt.us

Michael Reese michael.reese@valley.net

John Rodgers jrodgers@leg.state.vt.us
jbdjrodgers@yahoo

Robert Rusten brusten@sover.net

Malcolm Severance severance@bsadpo.emba.uvm.edu

Ernest Shand eshand@leg.state.vt.us

David Sharpe dsharpe@leg.state.vt.us

Loren Shaw lshaw@leg.state.vt.us
lts1@together.net

Harvey Smith hsmith@leg.state.vt.us

Shap Smith ssmith@leg.state.vt.us
shapv@aol.com
ssmith@dinse.com

David Sunderland dsunderland@leg.state.vt.us

Donna Sweaney dsweaney@leg.state.vt.us

Gaye Symington speaker@leg.state.vt.us

John Patrick Tracy jtracy@leg.state.vt.us

Ira Trombley itrombley@leg.state.vt.us

Donald Turner DTurner@leg.state.vt.us

Leo Valliere lvalliere@leg.state.vt.us

John Winters jwinters@leg.state.vt.us
rivside@together.net

Kurt Wright kwright@leg.state.vt.us

Mark Young myoung@leg.state.vt.us

David Zuckerman dzuckerman@leg.state.vt.us

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