Labor Secretary Urges Action on Domestic Violence

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis has issued a statement urging vigilance, zero-tolerance, and action in honor of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Three American women reportedly die each day from violent abuse, she said, adding that partner violence has far-reaching consequences for women and children:

As the chair of the president’s Interagency Council on Homelessness, I’ve seen how intimate partner violence is the number one cause of family homelessness in America. It puts our young women and men in danger of long-term physical and emotional harm. And it puts their children at greater risk of substance abuse, emotional disorders and becoming abusers themselves later in life.

To those who have been victimized by domestic violence, it’s crucial you know that there is support and shelter available to help you break the cycle of violence. And to those who perpetrate this cowardly act, know that we will not relent in our efforts until you are brought to justice. Let’s be our brother and sister’s keeper, help those who need it and lock up the perpetrators of these awful crimes.

Solis says anyone who witnesses domestic violence of any kind should call 800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit http://www.TheHotLine.org.

‘Hot Sauce Mom’ Alaska Woman Convicted of Child Abuse

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Jessica Beagley of Anchorage Alaska was convicted Tuesday of misdemeanor child abuse charges after she squirted hot sauce into the mouth of her 7-year-old adopted son as a punishment for misbehaving and lying in school.  According to The Huffington Post, prosecutors also charged that she made the boy stand in a cold shower as a punishment, and that both actions were taken as a ploy to get onto a segment of the “Dr. Phil” television show called “Mommy Confessions.”  The show aired in November 2010.  From The Huffington Post:

Beagley…submitted audition videos in which she yelled at the boy, but producers said they needed to see her actually punishing her son, the prosecutor said.

That’s when Beagley got the video camera ready, made sure there was enough hot sauce on the shelf in the bathroom and recruited her 10-year-old daughter to shoot the video, Franklin said. Days later, she was headed to Los Angeles to tape the show that first aired on Nov. 17, 2010.

The boy and his twin brother were both adopted from Russia by Beagley and her husband in 2008.  Defense attorneys argued that she had reached out to the “Dr. Phil” show for help, and that she is not a child abuser.

The maximum sentence will be one year in jail, a $10,000 fine and up to 10 years of probation.  Beagley will be sentenced Monday, August 29.