Sen. Rubio Holds Domestic Violence Roundtable With Advocates

State Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) held a domestic violence roundtable with more than 50 advocates on Oct. 28 at her West Covina district office to discuss her successful legislation as well as issues affecting local service providers.

Sen. Rubio reviewed The Phoenix Act, Senate Bill 273, that she introduced that provides domestic violence victims more time to heal before facing deadlines on having to report their abusers to law enforcement. She also talked about Senate Bill 316, which requires schools to print the national domestic violence hotline on high school student IDs.

“I always say that it doesn't take one person, it takes an entire group of a coalition of people working for the same purpose,” said Sen Rubio, who is also a domestic violence survivor. “I've been very blessed to have a lot of great partners. The 'I’m Not OK Movement' was instrumental in helping me pass the Phoenix Act, which extends the statute of limitations for victims to five years from three years.”

Members of the coalition include Hollywood actresses Evan Rachel Wood and Esmé Bianco, who are all survivors and advocates.

“I think this is a great opportunity today for us to talk with other domestic violence advocates about the Phoenix Act,” Bianco said. “That includes exactly what it is, what our hopes are for the Phoenix Act going forward, and to discuss a little bit of the journey that we went on to get the legislation passed because it was a long and difficult journey.”

Another member of the coalition, Shay Franco-Clausen, an advocate and survivor from San Jose, said she realized the obstacles of passing the bill but that advocates should stop pushing for more.

“Five years is a victory, but we have to really have some serious uncomfortable conversations,” Franco-Clausen said. “With domestic violence abuse, it can go on for five years, 20 to 30 years, that people are subjected to this in their home and never come up. It is going to take more than five years for someone to put the pieces back together.”

Another panelist was Marci Fukuroda, who is the director of legal services at Rainbow Services, Ltd., a domestic violence agency in San Pedro, California that provides shelter and support services to domestic violence victims and their children.

“I appreciate Senator Rubio's ongoing commitment to addressing domestic violence since she first entered our legislature,” Fukuroda said. “She's made it very clear that she's committed to this issue and has proven that with the legislation that she has fought for. And as a service provider who is also involved in policy efforts, we tried to really engage with a legislator who is willing to take on this fight.”

Issues brought by service providers included the growing of technology and stalking; creating diversion programs; and protecting victims from the legal system.

Sen. Rubio said her personal and legislative experience gives her a unique perspective on domestic violence issues.

“We know that there's so much more work to be done,” Sen. Rubio said. “I'm here to demonstrate that victims come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, and that we’re here to provide whatever support we can. I hope that I can be a partner with all the service providers here.”