COMMENTARY
October 8, 2007

Domestic Violence Silently Tearing Families Apart

As printed in the San Diego Daily Transcript on Oct. 8, 2007

By Supervisor Pam Slater-Price

By this time tomorrow, three women in this country will have died at the hands of their partners, possibly in the presence of children.

In San Diego County, 136 domestic violence-related deaths have been documented between 1997 and 2005, according to the county Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team.

This October marks the 20th annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which has helped focus national attention to this crime.

Yet, today officials estimate only one in seven domestic violence cases come to the attention of police, making it a largely silent crime that tears families apart.

San Diego County law enforcement receives more than 20,000 domestic violence calls annually. Another 5,600 calls are placed to the countywide domestic violence hotline, which I helped fund in 2003.

County law enforcement and health officials continue improving services in hopes of reaching these victims and abusers, before it’s too late.

One common misconception is that domestic violence is just physical. In truth, domestic violence can be emotional, psychological, economic, legal and even sexual, according to the county Office of Violence Prevention.

In about half of the cases, the abuser is using drugs such as methamphetamines, and some of the triggers can be related to life stresses, such as financial strain.

The domestic violence cycle begins with a child victim.

On any given day, more than 500 women and children in San Diego County are seeking shelter from an abusive relationship. To that end, I forged a partnership with the sheriff and district attorney to help fund the North County Family Violence Prevention Center.

And the need is great. About one in four children throughout California witness violence in the home.

Witnessing or experiencing abuse as a child can cause emotional problems such as: depression, falling behind at school, eating or sleeping disorders, and violence.

Problems begin early for victims and manifest into adulthood, sometimes in the form of substance abuse and suicidal tendencies which can lead to crime and violence.

And the financial toll is staggering.

The County Office of Violence Prevention estimates that just one domestic violence case that ends in death costs as much as $2.5 million for various expenses such as police responses, restraining orders, emergency room visits, domestic violence shelters, foster care, prosecution and prison time.

But there is a way to end the silence and stop the violence.

In San Diego County, some two dozen agencies, including health services, law enforcement and legal services, work together to improve domestic violence intervention and prevention.

This year, the county budget put $1.4 million into the Office of Violence Prevention for programs such as the hotline, the Domestic Violence Response Teams, and other services and resources for children, teens and families. These teams work at the North County Family Violence Prevention Center.

Professional care awaits every domestic violence victim and their abuser.

But sometimes it takes a friend, co-worker or family member to come forward and help them take that first step.

If you or someone you know needs immediate shelter, a clinic referral or other domestic violence resource, please call 1-888-DVLINKS.

The life you save maybe your own.

Supervisor Slater-Price represents the county’s Third District. Visit her Web site at pamslater.com