D.A. Candidates Differ on Responses to Domestic Violence

Chief Assistant Dist. Atty. Greg Totten thinks an important step in curtailing domestic violence is counseling the abusers.

His campaign rival, Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Ron Bamieh, thinks that is largely a waste of resources.

The two candidates for Ventura County district attorney, each dressed in a navy pinstriped suit, made their cases Friday to members and guests of the Simi Valley Republican Women Federated club at a luncheon debate.

They were asked to speak on the topic in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It was the candidates’ second debate this week in a race that is notable in terms of early endorsements, fund-raising and candidate appearances.

The men, both of whom have prosecuted domestic violence cases, shared many views on the issue.

They agreed that juries must be educated on root causes and patterns of family violence. They characterized domestic abuse as a “community” problem that must be tackled by bringing neighbors, friends, religious organizations, advocacy groups, doctors and law enforcement officials into the fold. And each said he is committed to helping victims overcome the impression that they somehow brought abuse on themselves.

But the men diverged on several points, including whether abusers could be rehabilitated through anger management classes and therapy.

“Simply incarcerating them is not enough,” said Totten, who spoke in measured tones to the 30 audience members. “We need a program that focuses first and foremost on the abuser.”

Bamieh disagreed. “The counseling they’ll listen to is punishment--severe punishment,” he said, drawing chuckles from an audience he had told earlier that he would address as if it were a jury.

Bamieh has proposed establishing a program that would assign prosecutors to individual communities throughout the county, to make them more accessible to residents.

He told the audience at the Wood Ranch Golf Club that community prosecutors would be an integral part of his approach to domestic violence.

He also proposed splitting his agency’s combined sexual assault and family protection division in two, saying cases would be better handled that way.

Totten talked about programs already in place, and said domestic violence policy would be part of any legislative agenda he would develop.

The primary election isn’t until March 5, but the candidates have already appeared before a group of pastors and are scheduled to face off today at a convalescent home. Both are scheduled for radio appearances Monday on a local news talk station.

Most agree that the contest between Totten, 47, who is backed by the county’s law-and-order establishment, and Bamieh, 35, a successful homicide prosecutor and son of a wealthy GOP contributor, will be the most contentious in the county next year.

Some observers say spending in the race to succeed retiring Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury could top $1 million. Totten predicted Bamieh will spend two to three times more than he does during the campaign.