Geoff Simpson, a Washington state legislator from King County, got into a fight with his ex-wife recently over tax documents. The argument turned physical, police were called and Simpson was charged with fourth-degree assault and interfering with domestic violence reporting.

This private matter has become quite public. This is no accident. For years, child and family advocates worked to raise awareness that domestic violence crosses all socioeconomic lines. Though the stressors of single parenting, poverty, unemployment and addiction can increase the likelihood of domestic violence, it can happen in any neighborhood.

In the past decade or so, laws slowly changed to allow police officers to decide more objectively whether a crime has been committed. Now if they have just cause, police officers must arrest someone in a domestic violence situation.

The changes in domestic violence laws have no doubt stopped some people from calling 911 when a household argument turns physical. But its larger societal value trumps any chilling effect. Children who witness domestic violence carry the stress inside and sometimes act it out in anger, depression and disruptions at school and in the community.

Dr. Robert Anda, senior researcher for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that if that domestic violence is severe enough, it can even alter children’s brain chemistry, making it harder for them to learn and work. Anda was in Spokane recently as part of the Our Kids: Our Business communitywide abuse prevention effort.

In bygone days, when arguments turned violent, even next-door neighbors ignored the obvious. If the people involved said, “This is a family matter,” most often it was left at that.

Not anymore. Barbara Baker, chief clerk of the House of Representatives, said in a written statement, “The House of Representatives takes criminal charges against any of the members very seriously – especially those of domestic violence.”

Even Simpson still supports domestic violence legislation. As a firefighter, Simpson said in a statement after his arrest, he has been a first responder to domestic violence situations. “As a state legislator, I remain strongly in support of erring on the side of protecting potential victims with our laws and their enforcement – even when, in situations like mine, it can result in unwarranted charges. I am confident that once the facts come to light I will be exonerated.”

Any exoneration will now come about through the legal system, where private matters such as these often end up, as they should, thanks to years of advocacy and awareness.