Transcribed from CT-N broadcast of Capitol News Briefing on a proposal to increase services for victims of domestic violence - February 14, 2008:

"I'm here as a legislator but I think I'm also here with a bit of a unique perspective in that I spent three years as the Executive Director of the Enfield-based domestic violence program and so I'm here to say to you all how important it is to support this legislation, how important it will be to have 24/7 coverage at all of the state's 18 domestic violence shelter programs. Many of you know that domestic violence is about power and control.  And therefore, when a woman and her children leave a violent situation and come to a shelter, it is one of the most violent times for that family because the abuser begins to lose his power and his control.  And therefore it is so critical to have support staff available to this family in crisis on the weekends and overnight.  And secondly I think it is important to note that when families are coming to a shelter there is tremendous stress and there are a whole host of other issues that they need assistance with, and for that family, that woman and that child to be left overnight or alone on the weekend when they are in that kind of crisis...it's just unacceptable to me.  I watched it all the time and I'm just so glad that this initiative is taking place and I'm going to work really hard to see that it succeeds this section."