Candlelight Vigil Recognizes Domestic Violence (Mille Lacs, Minnesota)

Highlighted in bold below are some of the major statistics regarding domestic violence murders in Minnesota over the past year or so.

http://millelacscountytimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2526&Itemid=87

Candlelight vigil recognizes domestic violence
by Dawn Slade

With a slight breeze causing candle flames to flicker, leaves rustling, and the river flowing behind them, a group gathered to remember those who have suffered and died at the hands of another.

Pearl Crisis Center and its youth group, T.A.D.A. (Teens Against Dating Abuse) held its annual candlelight vigil and rally last Monday, Oct. 19 at Riverview Park in Milaca in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

After reading proclamations from the President of the United States and Governor Tim Pawlenty, attendees shared their thoughts and stories.

There was a reading of “The Challenge to Minnesota,” which challenges communities to respond to battered women and their children by investing in funding for safe shelter and advocacy services, prevention education for all elementary and secondary students, laws to protect women and children, effective enforcement of those laws, and aggressive prosecution of all domestic assault crimes and all prostitution crimes targeting perpetrators, pimps, and “johns.”

“We pledge to remember the women, children, and family members and/or friends who die each year from domestic violence and child abuse, and also the women and children who are murdered while being used in prostitution and sex trafficking. Women and children used in prostitution and sex trafficking are battered women and abused children in need of protection from abuse,” the challenge states.

The T.A.D.A. members then read the names of the 19 women and children in Minnesota who died between October 2008 and October 2009 from domestic violence.

Of the 21 women murdered in 2008 through domestic violence, 19 of them were murdered by a current or former husband or boyfriend.

Nine of the women were killed by a gun, four were stabbed, three were strangled, three were beaten to death, one died from being sexually assaulted and one is unknown.

Thirteen of those women were separated or trying to leave their partner when they were killed. In addition to the 21 women murdered last year in Minnesota, there were seven children, two men, and five friends or family members. The majority of the children were beaten to death.

Twenty-five children were left motherless because of domestic violence murders last year. In six of those instances, the child was either present at the time of murder or discovered their mother’s body.

Red flags

The 2008 Femicide Report published by the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women, has some red flags for batterer lethality.

Because it is impossible to predict which batterers will become lethal to their victim, all batterers should be viewed as potentially deadly.

There are well-documented indicators of lethality, including time of separation, obsession, depression or other mental illness, history of domestic violence or other violence, escalation of risk-taking, pregnancy, threats of fantasies of homicide or suicide, weapons, stalking, history of rage or anti-social behavior, hostage-taking, drugs, alcohol, violence in family of origin, cruelty to animals, a batterer living with children who are not his own, and unemployment.

In six of the 21 intimate partner murders, the perpetrator committed suicide after killing his victim - four more threatened or attempted suicide (a total of 47 percent).

There is a high overlap between domestic violence and child maltreatment.

Of the children murdered in 2008, 60 percent were killed by their father or their mother’s current boyfriend, former boyfriend or husband and/or a relative caregiver (i.e. uncle).

According to the report, perpetrators often use repeated litigation as a form of ongoing control and harassment due to the highly emotional and financial cost for abused women.

“The Challenge to Minnesota Communities” encourages more community involvement.

In many cases, family members and friends were aware of threats to kill the victim and then commit suicide. Threats to kill should not be ignored.

The greatest time of risk for homicide and suicide is when a violent relationship is ending.

Women should work with advocacy agencies, such as Pearl Crisis Center, to develop safety plans.
The Femicide Report lists each murdered woman, man, and child’s case, which includes area residents who were killed.

Sharon Choinard of East Bethel was killed in January 2008. She had been stabbed by her boyfriend who she was planning to leave. He attempted suicide following the murder.

Deloris (DeDe) Heald of Zimmerman was killed by her husband Gary in August. He also killed Rory Zitur, a man she had met online. He then committed suicide.

The Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women was formed in 1978 to serve as a unifying voice for battered women and to link battered women’s programs in the state with the common purpose of ending domestic violence.

For more information, visit www.mcbw.org. Pearl Crisis Center can be reached at 320-982-2901.