Violence beyond the home

The massive epidemic of violence against women that plagues our country is often termed “domestic violence.” However, it is anything but a private matter, and rather it is a reflection of larger social ideologies that permit brutal violence, rapes and sexual assaults in appalling number each day.

It is crucial that we avoid justifications and perpetuations of such actions in the forms of biased health care policies or “pre-existing conditions” and economic justifications or “financial stress.”

We should aim to help through prevention and diffusion rather than blaming the victims. This is our problem, not their problem. It is a shame that we do not recognize March 8 as International Women’s Day in the U.S. We should all be provoked to ask ourselves why.

Rachel A. Martire

Spokane Valley