DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MOST FREQUENTLY COMMITTED CRIME - "Elephant In Room" Problem Often Goes Unreported

(10/28/2011)

Domestic violence is the most frequently committed crime in Calhoun and most West Virginia counties. October has been declared Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Lori Fleagle with the Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) says during the 2010-11 Calhoun DART received 187 first time contacts, not including cases related to children. About 40 Emergency Violence Protective Orders were filed during the same period. "Only one-fourth of domestic violence cases are reported," said Fleagle. "There is much to be done with public education," she said, helping the abused and the abuser to get help. Calhoun's DART program, started by Fleagle 16 years ago, is still working well. Because of the social stigma and privacy laws, domestic violence incidents often remain hidden from the public. Domestic violence related incidents generate the highest numbers received by Calhoun's 911 center. One person dies every 13 days in West Virginia in a domestic violence related death. A recent WV study shows that women in the Mountain State are more likely to be victims of violent-related homicide, while the men who commit the violent acts are more likely to kill themselves afterward. The state ranks near the top in the nation when it comes to the number of domestic violence deaths, per capita for the population. Fleagle expressed thanks to core supporters of the DART program over the years.

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