| In search warrant documents, Ventura police | | | | from her attacker could not be a victim of domestic |
| Detective Sarah Starr stated that Perez and | | | | violence. Maybe now they will realize that women |
| Valenciana had numerous domestic violence incidents | | | | who appear strong on the surface, women in |
| during their 18-month relationship, and “domestic | | | | professions that are traditionally male dominated, like |
| violence may have played a role in Perez’s | | | | police officers or firefighters can be abused. The |
| death.” Starr said she observed bruises on | | | | Coalition knows this to be a fact. It doesn’t |
| Valenciana’s wrists, forearms, biceps, thigh and | | | | matter what socio-economic status a woman comes |
| shoulder when she interviewed her March 2. For | | | | from, abuse is abuse. These Coalitions are Federally |
| two years, Valenciana was verbally and physically | | | | funded by the Department of Justice and receive |
| abuse by her fiance, Robert Perez, Jr. Valenciana | | | | grants to help women who are victims of domestic |
| began dating Perez in September 2007, about two | | | | violence, they had no business turning Valenciana |
| months into the relationship, Perez was arrested | | | | away or denying her services because she was a |
| following a domestic disturbance that involved a | | | | peace officer. If these Coalitions are getting grants, |
| women from a prior relationship that led to a | | | | where is the money going? Who is holding these |
| standoff with Ventura police. Sheriff’s officials | | | | organizations accountable for their actions? |
| ordered Valenciana to cut ties with Perez after her | | | | In a previous article one organization stated “its |
| own violent encounter with Perez and the police | | | | rare, however, for a district attorney to not file |
| were called to her home in April 2008. | | | | charges in a case involving a woman suspected of |
| Violence is very common with law enforcement | | | | killing her abuser, said Tara Shabazz, executive |
| personnel and predominately are male offenders and | | | | director of the California Partnership to End Domestic |
| the victims are the wives or girlfriends of police | | | | Violence. “I would like to believe it has to do with |
| officers. Valenciana said she was embarrassed about | | | | them really looking at the context of violence, and |
| being abused because she was a peace officer, and | | | | that’s what we would like prosecutors to |
| she feared that even if she left Perez, he would | | | | do,” Shabazz said. What about how Valenciana |
| follow her. | | | | was turned away when she reached out for help? |
| Shame is very common with many if not all | | | | The CPEDV never made a statement about that. |
| domestic violence victims and what is surprising is | | | | Who is going to go on record and take responsibility |
| that the Ventura County Sheriffs Department had | | | | for that? The CPEDV’s reputation is known to |
| no obvious workplace violence training on what | | | | advocate for the offenders of violence instead of |
| appropriate intervention steps could have been taken | | | | the victims of domestic violence and the partnership |
| to ensure Valenciana’s safety and job security. | | | | is also federally funded. I haven’t found an |
| No one should ever be in jeopardy of being fired | | | | organization in Ventura county that actually helps |
| from their job because of being a victim of violence. | | | | victims of violence and this seems to be the trend |
| It’s just not ethical or moral and the shame | | | | lately, more and more victims are coming forward |
| Valenciana worried about was already placed upon | | | | with their complaints. If these organizations can’t |
| her by her own employer. | | | | help victims of domestic violence, then close your |
| During the relationship, Valenciana apparently reached | | | | doors and allow other organizations who are helping |
| out to the Coalition to End Family Violence in Oxnard | | | | dv victims get the funding they need to continue |
| for help and advice and was told that they were not | | | | their help. By turning victims away, you are signing |
| interested in helping her; apparently thinking that a | | | | their death sentence. |
| woman who appeared capable of defending herself | | | | |