Sacramento - The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (Partnership) will tonight present Assembly Member Betty Karnette (D – Long Beach) with an award to commemorate her legislative leadership to support and protect funding for domestic violence shelters throughout the state. 

The award will be presented in conjunction with the Partnership’s annual legislative action day, Tuesday, February 13, 2007.  Domestic violence victim advocates from throughout the state will collectively honor Karnette at a legislative reception after spending the day meeting with legislators and staff to highlight urgent challenges that domestic violence victims and their children confront each day.

“As a community activist, I have seen and heard how domestic violence shelters provide emergency refuge from abuse that does enormous damage to victims of all ages,” Karnette said.

“Many abuse victims, including those who have children, often need emergency shelter service because they simply have nowhere else to turn.  As a school teacher for over 30 years, I know that domestic violence shelters are the only way that many of these victims and their children have any hope to stem the tide of family violence once and for all.”

Karnette last year authored, and Governor Schwarzenegger signed, Assembly Bill 2084 (Chapter , Statutes of 2006).  The measure ensured that domestic violence shelter funding could not be diverted to other non-sheltering uses.  Domestic violence victim advocates asked Karnette to author the legislation last year after it was determined that some counties were using the funds to support non-shelter programs.

“I am honored to receive this award because it tells me that California’s legislature is effectively addressing job number one.  We must protect every dime that supports abuse and crime victims.  Our system of government is based upon protection of the general well being of society.  Domestic violence must end.  Until then, abuse victims must have refuge.  We can never forget that.”