paper protection: more education, better legal protections needed to prevent cases of domestic

[niyad]

violence

Paper protection
More education, better legal protections are needed to prevent cases of domestic violence like the one that killed a Parker woman.
Posted: 01/15/2012 01:00:00 AM MST

By Jo Ann Salazar
Photo illustration by Jeff Neumann, The Denver Post; photos: Jupiter Images

Two days after Christmas, in the parking lot of a McDonald's in Parker, Donna Marie Royer went out to her car while her young daughters waited inside with a friend. Royer's ex-husband drove up, then shot and killed her.

. . . .



While the U.S. Department of Justice states that violence between intimates is declining, it is clear that it is not. "The problem with statistics," says Paula Hammond, executive director of Project Safeguard, "is that everyone who compiles them uses a different standard for the definition of 'intimate partner.' " In addition, different states list different criteria for what constitutes domestic violence. Colorado statutes are more inclusive than most, listing aggravated assault, forcible sex offenses, homicide, intimidation, kidnaping, robbery and simple assault.

Society allows violence

. . . .

We can change that. We look to restraining orders for protection, but they are not enough. "There are cracks in the system, and it can fail," said Angela Hale, spokeswoman for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. "Restraining orders should be considered as only part of what we do to protect the victim. It's important to keep a record that can be used by the police, prosecutors and the courts."

Hale described programs to educate police, prosecutors, judges and legislators on how to better help victims of domestic violence. "Constant analysis is needed to improve the system," she said. "It takes a community working together to make the changes needed to improve the law."

. . .

http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_19732020

[polly7]

1. That's an excellent article.

It's hard for some to understand, but the decision to finally leave is a torturous one, and the stalking and fear afterwards can be almost as devastating as the abuse was. I think the biggest problem is that systems set up to deal with this are overwhelmed. In small towns, there are none. Much more needs to be done in terms of making the public aware. Believing you're alone is the biggest hurdle to getting help.

[Froward69]

2. If a preditor is going to kill

NO amount of laws, weapon confiscation, education or locking them up is going to stop them.

Also in this circumstance the woman was not so Innocent in the situation. This should be a lesson to all! Insofar as one should leave a relationship BEFORE starting a new one.

Another problem with the DV laws in Colorado is that they are abused. regardless if any Abuse is prevalent! as the one that has the other arrested wins the divorce proceedings.
8 times out of 10 arrests and restraining orders issued are based upon a lie.

[niyad]

4. unbelievable bitterness in this post--blaming the VICTIM!!! saying most victims are liars. some

legitimate, reliable stats would be welcome to back up the sort of claims we usually hear from the "the woman deserved it" bunch.

[shraby]

5. I can't believe you just said the woman was not so innocent. She has

every right to live. He had NO right to kill her no matter what she did. Get a clue, dude.

[niyad]

6. notice the deafening silence from the poster--most telling

[wellstone dem]

3. Take a look at the model Domestic Violence Court Project

in Stearns County Minnesota.

It is incredible. The project provides immediate accountability to offenders who are assigned to the project, and also provides intensive services....including a Legal Aid lawyer to the victim. It is incredible. But it costs money to do it right.

[niyad]

7. thank you for posting this--reading about the project now.

would that other communities would take dv as seriously

[wellstone dem]

8. Probably too late but

here are a couple links, just being sure you found the link to Legal Aid's annual report.

http://www.mylegalaid.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2010-Annual-Report-Final.pdf

http://www.co.stearns.mn.us/LawPublicSafety/CrimeVictimServices/DomesticViolenceCourt

[niyad]

9. never too late for this kind of valuable information