Lt. Governor Brown Visits

House Of Ruth Maryland

For years, the House Of Ruth Maryland has traveled to Annapolis in an effort to make our elected officials understand the toll that domestic violence takes on the women, children and families of Maryland.  Yesterday the tables were turned when Annapolis, in the form of Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, came calling on the House Of Ruth Maryland. 

Arriving for a tour of the shelter, coffee and some frank conversation, it became immediately clear that this was a man who understood, all-too-well, the plight that victims face.  Talking about his cousin who was murdered this past August, he said, “We knew his behavior was controlling, but no one thought she needed to get a protective order.  We just didn’t see it coming.”

Surrounded by staff, shelter residents and victims, the Lt. Governor listened intently as Gat Meredith talked about the day her daughter was murdered in front of her two young sons.  Her daughter, Jessica, had done everything right – she had left the marriage, gotten a protective order and notified her employer of the situation.  However, when a judge ordered visitation rights without proper safety checks in place, it put  Jessica right in the line of fire.

The tendency, prevalent in our society, of not taking the abusive behavior seriously was a theme heard over and over again. Jane Doe, a survivor turned victim advocate, recounted her experience of being ostracized from family when she left her abusive husband and fled with their young son.  It was while in hiding at a friend’s apartment that her estranged husband broke in and stabbed her more than a dozen times.

Lt. Governor Brown listened with great empathy and acknowledged that while victims haven’t been a line item in anyone’s budget, he and the Governor are committed to doing whatever they can to address cash flow for organizations like the House Of Ruth Maryland.  Already, the efforts of Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown have resulted in new legislation that will make Maryland safer for women and children.

"Because of the stance you and the Governor have taken, we have come light years in just one session of the General Assembly,” said Ellyn Loy, Director of Victim Counseling.  “Thank you for coming here today,” added Latisha, a young shelter resident, “Thank you for giving us a voice.” 

The House Of Ruth Maryland is proud to have leaders like Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown who are committed to confronting the attitudes, behaviors and systems that allow domestic violence to continue.