We must defend domestic violence victims
The murder of Tierne Ewing in Washington County two weeks ago is another painful reminder that domestic violence is not a woman’s problem, or a man’s problem – it is everybody’s problem.
If we are going to prevent domestic violence homicides, communities must come together in a meaningful way, and do everything possible to make sure that abusers don’t fall through the cracks.
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence has trained police departments and has tools for judges so that they can assess the danger that domestic violence offenders pose to their victims. Trained domestic violence advocates also are available in every county to discuss safety and options with victims.
More can and should be done when certain factors call for heightened security measures. For example, although the use of GPS can be part of a comprehensive safety plan, courts, counselors, police and victims cannot rely on this technology. In cases of abuse, it provides a false sense of security with a high likelihood it will fail. Abusers have shown us too many times how determined they are to harm their victims. We need to be just as vigilant – as a community – in these victims’ defense.
Peg J. Dierkers
Harrisburg
Dierkers is the executive director of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.