Domestic violence affects every Idaho community, and we must work together to stop it. In 2007, there were 22 domestic violence-related fatalities in Idaho. That is more than two-and-a-half times the number recorded in 2006.
Domestic violence is not a private matter. Ten of last year's victims were children, family members, friends and even a law enforcement officer. As mentioned in the Statesman's opinion piece ("Cases raise profile of a common crime," Sunday, July 13), in 2007, Idaho State Police reported 6,252 incidents of domestic violence between intimate partners, ex-spouses and those in dating relationships. This is an increase of more than 1,000 incidents from 2005 and amounts to one domestic violence incident every 84 minutes.
The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence facilitates the Idaho Coordinated Response to Domestic and Sexual Violence, a state level committee of 27 governmental and non-governmental organizations created to enhance safety for victims, increase offender accountability and improve inter-agency collaboration.
In response to the increasing levels of dangerousness, the Idaho Coordinated Response is developing a Risk Assessment Toolkit. This toolkit will be given to communities to better enable the criminal justice system to assess dangerousness. It also will assist community organizations in determining what services will best serve survivors of domestic violence.
The Risk Assessment Toolkit includes a revised law enforcement domestic violence supplemental form, which was unanimously endorsed earlier this year by the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association and the Idaho Sheriffs Association and will be presented to the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association at its annual meeting in August. We applaud Idaho's leaders in law enforcement for their proactive approach to responding to domestic violence.
The Idaho Coordinated Response has determined the seven highest risk factors through the analysis of Idaho's domestic violence fatalities, scholarly research and Idaho case law. It is critical that all citizens of Idaho - family members, friends, neighbors, employers, the faith-based community - know these risk factors of domestic violence:
1. History of domestic violence: Includes escalation of emotional, sexual or physical abuse, prior use of weapons to threaten or injure and sexual abuse.
2. Prior police contact: Includes a documented history of criminal violence and prior arrests and a prior or existing criminal no-contact order or civil protection order.
3. Recent separation: Such as a divorce or breakup; may include a custody battle.
4. Obsessive, controlling or jealous behavior: Isolating the victim from friends, family and other support; economic abuse and financial control, such as not allowing victim access to financial resources or to get a job; emotional abuse, including name-calling or publicly telling lies about the victim.
5. Threats to harm the victim, children or others: In the form of verbal threats, physical acts (such as destroying property or harming animals) or intimidating looks that are meant to frighten and control behavior.
6. Threats of suicide: May include other mental health problems and short-term depression brought about by a recent loss of job, the death of a close friend or family member or a similar stressful circumstance.
7. Alcohol or drug abuse.
While all of these risk factors may not exist in every abusive relationship, if even one or two factors are present, the victim, their family and the larger community may be at risk of injury or even death.
Know the risks and call 911 if you are in immediate danger or call the Idaho Domestic Violence 24 Hour Hotline at 1-800-669-3176 for help.
Together we can make a difference in the lives of domestic violence victims and create safety in our communities.
Kelly Miller is legal director of Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence and is project director of Idaho Coordinated Response to Domestic & Sexual Violence.
