One of the great attributes and contribution to society, indeed to the hearts of our country by the Late Senator Paul and Sheila Wellstone , were their champion of causes dear to women. Unfortunately, the last few years have caused great concern in my heart that all is not well with regards to the protection of women who have been beaten or battered by their violent husbands or male significant other. There has been an increase of high profile deaths of women by their husbands or male significant other, after those women pleaded in vain to have their spouses or significant other issued restraining orders for fear of their safety.

I believe we need to tighten the loop hole that has led to women losing their lives and in a few cases also men (to be non gender specific) whose husband or spouse comes out of jail and then goes on in anger and vengeance kills the wife. A recent report by CNN in January of 08 indicated that the leading cause of death among pregnant women is murder. Congress must not wait until one of their relatives loses their life to such heinous crime before taken action. It takes divine intervention to change the heart of wife beaters into responsible men who will handle future disagreements without resorting to violence.

I am convinced that when law enforcement authorities get a call by the victim who has suffered severe bodily harm from their male significant other, it is usually a third or forth time that the woman has bore such suffering before it first gets to the police. Women out of embarrassment, intimidation or a heart of forgiveness tend not to report the first offense. All of us, and not just feminist, must view violence against women as unacceptable, repugnant and un-American.

Judges must impose stiffer penalties on first time and repeat offenders to underscore the seriousness of this crime.

Educating the public through commercials on T.V and Radio about the wickedness of such a crime will increase awareness about public disdain for such crime. Marriage counseling should include a special curriculum that deals with violence against women and why it should be forbidden no matter the circumstances.

As your next Governor, I will support more funding for more women shelters and equip them to handle everything from job provision to changing ones' identity for the long-term safety of the victim.