Iowa officials call on Joni Ernst to ‘end her silence on domestic violence’

DES MOINES – Iowa officials this week called on State Senator Joni Ernst to ‘end her silence on domestic violence’ in recognition of domestic violence awareness month. Earlier this year Ernst received criticism for her failure to speak out on the issue after her husband made online comments making light of violence against women.

“It is long past time for Joni Ernst to speak out on the issue of domestic violence,” said Representative Marti Anderson. “Her husband’s comments cracking jokes about violence against women were completely unacceptable, and her failure to denounce domestic violence is a missed opportunity for all Iowans. One out of four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and I’ve seen far too many suffer through that experience to stay silent on this issue. We hope Joni Ernst will join us in calling attention to it during domestic violence awareness month.”

Representative Anderson, along with Representative Ruth Ann Gaines, Representative Bruce Hunter, Representative Jo Oldson, and Representative Sally Stutsman sent a letter to Ernst, calling on her to end her silence. The letter is copied below this release.

More than 250 Iowans have been killed in domestic murders since 1995, including 171 women who were killed by their current or former partners. Since 1995, 27 children in Iowa have been killed in domestic violence homicides.

###

Full text of the letter sent to State Senator Joni Ernst:

Senator Ernst,

We are writing you about domestic violence. We ask that you break your silence on domestic violence during Domestic Abuse Awareness Month this October.

After your husband made public comments online that advocated violence against women, we hoped that you would take a stand and use your high profile position to call attention to the important issue of domestic violence.

Your husband shrugged off as a “joke” his horrific comments advocating violence against women (repeatedly shooting an ex-wife) and called one woman on the President’s Cabinet a “skank” and another a “hag.” While you said you were appalled by his statements, you refused to go any further.

You did not denounce violence against women; you did not denounce gun violence; and you did not denounce demeaning, anti-woman name calling.

We hope you will join us in speaking out on this critical issue for Iowa families. More than 250 Iowans have been killed in domestic murders since 1995, including 171 women killed by their current or former spouse or partner and 27 children killed in domestic violence homicides. Domestic violence is not a subject to be joked about, and we hope you agree.

During the month of October, we will be working with community organizations across the state to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence. Please join us by finally speaking out, and condemning violence against women, including jokes and name-calling that creates a culture of violence. We hope you will help raise awareness and tell Iowans what you would do to prevent the tragedy of domestic violence.

We ask that you end your silence on domestic violence.

Sincerely,

Marti Anderson
State Representative

Ruth Ann Gaines
State Representative

Bruce Hunter
State Representative

Jo Oldson
State Representative

Sally Stutsman
State Representative