The Boston Herald (3/19/2012) reports that Sen. Scott Brown will support VAWA reauthorization, effectively throwing men and fathers under the bus in the belief this will help him get the 'women's vote' in the upcoming election. If the report is accurate, he should certainly lose the vote of every person who supports stable and intact families and due process rights. Despite some 95% of the 25-50,000 'VAWA' restraining orders being issued in Massachusetts without any justification (according to at least one former judge) individuals, mainly men and fathers, are thrown out of their homes, subject to incarceration, separated from their children and subject to financial ruin. Support for this law is unconscionable. Sen. Brown evidently believes his own experience as a child growing up in a broken home with an abusive stepfather represents family life for the majority of Americans. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most biological fathers do not voluntarily leave their family and children but are evicted from their home precisely because of laws like VAWA. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) only on a party line vote, 10 Democrats in favor and 8 Republicans voting against. Though he is a co-sponsor of its re-authorization it is clear that Sen. Brown doesn't understand VAWA. In his interview with Piers Morgan he talks about 'abuse' as though the law is only intended to respond to acts of violence. He is just plain wrong. VAWA, and its corresponding state laws, primarily punishes individuals for 'crimes' not yet committed and for such benign actions as verbal arguments and being 'annoying'. In contrast, violent acts can and should be punished by assault and battery laws which also provide the due process rights which are tossed out the window under VAWA. The Herald reports that Sen. Brown had time to tour four so-called 'domestic violence' shelters this past week. But, aside from an offer of 15 minutes, he has yet to agree to schedule sufficient time with The Fatherhood Coalition to learn why so many concerned individuals believe VAWA should not be renewed. Please call Sen. Brown at (202) 224-4543 (DC office) and (617) 565-3170 (Boston) . Tell him to withdraw his sponsorship of this destructive law and ask him to schedule a meeting time with The Fatherhood Coalition so that he can learn why VAWA is indeed a very bad law. Let Sen. Brown know in no uncertain terms that he will not have your vote if he supports VAWA.