Published: October 23, 2009 07:36 am      

Senate is no place for abuser

There is no excuse for abuse.

Yet, according to The Domestic Violence Awareness Project, the numbers show that abuse in the home affects a staggering number of Americans.

A survey by the National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that about 2.3 million people are assaulted each year in the United Stated by a current or former spouse or partner. According to a 1997 Bureau of Justice report, nearly 40 percent of women who sought emergency-room treatment for injuries inflicted by violence had been wounded by a current or former spouse or partner _ not a stranger.

One of these women was Karla Giraldo, who arrived at Long Island Jewish Hospital in December with a laceration that required 20 to 40 stitches. It was the result of a broken glass being slashed into her face. But Giraldo and her boyfriend both testified the injury was the result of an "accident."

Her boyfriend was convicted of misdemeanor assault for injuring Giraldo as he pulled her through their Queens building on the way to the hospital. But he was found not guilty of the felony charge of assault for slashing Giraldo's face.

What happened to Giraldo is appalling. What makes it a particular concern for New York voters is the abuser is Sen. Hiram Monserrate, a 42-year-old Queens Democrat.

If Monserrate were convicted of a felony for slashing his girlfriend, he would have been forced to resign immediately. Instead, Monserrate has protested that the incident was a misunderstanding and refused to give up his power.

We demand Monserrate's swift resignation.

Fortunately, there are members of the state Senate who concur. On Tuesday, the Senate created a special committee to investigate Monserrate and consider possible sanctions. And New York U.S. senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer _ both Democrats _ called for his resignation.

There are those who will excuse Monserrate's behavior. One is his cohort in the June state Senate coup, Sen. Ruben Diaz, D-Bronx, who cried conspiracy and racism regarding the calls to remove Monserrate.

Giraldo herself has agreed with her convicted abuser, saying it was a misunderstanding and that she still loves him _ an unfortunately familiar scenario in domestic violence.

But placing blame elsewhere than the bloodied hands of Monserrate is unjust, not only to Giraldo but to all the victims of domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Let's honor those who have had their voices taken away by violence and make sure convicted abusers such as Monserrate are not excused away.