"Whose Name I Tender..."

There are two task forces in Pasco County that address the issues of family violence and sexual abuse: one works in West Pasco with the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Center; and the other works in East Pasco, with Sunrise of Pasco County, which is tasked with addressing sexual assault throughout the entire county. Both are registered with the state and federal government under the name Sexual and Domestic Violence Task Force of Pasco County.

As a result, the East Pasco task force includes eliminating sexual assault for all of Pasco and is not limited to just the eastern end of the county for that issue. But things are changing that can impact these issues. Task force members to change the common-use name to Family and Community Enhancement Task Force of East Pasco.

Yes, we want to prevent crime. Yes, it is critical that we help stop domestic and sexual assault before it starts. Is this the best way to do it?

I don't think so.

We need a countywide task force that focuses on prevention, community education, and more which has a liaison from both the East and West Pasco Task Forces that are already moving forward on their specialized targets. I think changing the name of the East Pasco Task Force dilutes that.

I emailed Marty Driscoll, who proposed the name change and is co-chair of the task force now commonly known as Family and Community Enhancement Task Force of East Pasco. I wanted to know whether he thought the name change diluted the task force's mission.

Driscoll explained the goal of changing the task force's name were never to “dilute” the issues of domestic violence or intervention efforts.  Driscoll heads up Prevention Projects, Inc., a Department of Corrections contractor for sex offender treatment.

“The East Pasco and West Pasco task forces are completely separate entities; associated with the Salvation Army domestic violence shelter in the west and Sunrise of Pasco domestic violence shelter in the east county as part of their funding mandates, there should be little confusion if the name of the east Pasco task force changes.

"It was also taken under consideration that since East Pasco has a smaller population base, it would be easier to assess our progress and measure outcomes over time.”

Driscoll provided 25 pages of research materials, to provide a more in-depth view of the research dated more than a decade ago, meeting minutes and the process of changing the name.

To me, it showed the process of watering down the lemonade. There is reference to the “victim” of these crimes, but the overview response from Driscoll made no reference to these individuals who have lived to tell the tale of domestic or sexual assault as “survivors.” Thus, we all have a lot to think about . 

And what about sexual assault prevention? What about the task force having a mandate for addressing sexual assault?  Since Sunrise handles sexual assault throughout the county, the East Pasco Task Force handles that issue for the whole county, and removing the sexual and domestic abuse issue from the name will impact all of Pasco County.

It seems a bit counter-intuitive to focus on healthy families and propose mandated prenatal counseling for mothers and fathers when you are supposed to help stop or prevent family violence. 

What about the silence surrounding spousal rape and the fact that violence escalates for a woman 80% during pregnancy, according to  research from state and national advocates on this issue. Why  do Sunrise and other domestic and sexual assault centers have such a need for baby items if this were not true.

But there is an interest in glossing this over with "healthy families"...why? 

This proposed approach risks diluting the issues and keeping those breaking free from abuse trapped in a cycle of victimhood. It seems more likely to increase danger and counteract law enforcement efforts to intervene and stop abuse. Forcing a "healthy family picture" to sugarcoat this issue is definitely leaving the whole thing to sour.