We must do better on domestic violence
For two decades, Connecticut has steadily averaged 14 deaths a year from domestic violence despite changes in the laws to protect victims, a Hearst Connecticut Media investigation has found. One likely reason the scary numbers don’t budge is that, except for a blip in 2020, neither has funding to protect victims and get offenders treatment.
And so Connecticut courts continue to issue more than 30,000 protective and restraining orders for family violence every year.
Though numbers are higher among women of color and people in the LGTBQ community, domestic violence strikes every gender, race, age, religion and income level. On Sunday, for example, a man and woman in their 50s died in what police are calling a domestic violence shooting in the well-to-do Weatogue section of Simsbury.
It’s important to understand that “domestic violence” means more than physical violence. Under Connecticut law, it’s a pattern of coercive behaviors to maintain control over a partner that can include stalking, harassment and isolating the partner from loved ones.
For the past year, Hearst Connecticut Media reporters have looked at police reports, criminal cases and court data on domestic violence. They also interviewed advocates, public officials, survivors and family members. They found that:
Court orders are often ignored by offenders: “For about one-quarter of the 15,500 family violence incidents reported to authorities in 2020, there was already a protective order in place.”
Prosecutors didn’t pursue charges in two-thirds of order violations. In fact, only 20 percent of order violations resulted in a conviction.
There’s a backlog of cases waiting to be heard in court.
The burden falls on the victim to get help. The limited support a person is required to receive when seeking a restraining order is a pamphlet with contact information for help — even though a court order can anger an offender and heighten the risk of violence for the victim. And federal funds that support victims are about to be severely cut.
Granted, the state has come far since Tracey Thurman
successfully sued Torrington police in 1985 for failing to stop her abusive husband despite her pleas. But many victims seeking help still can’t get it. Some are even turned away from shelters.
Special court hearings can keep victims safe while getting abusers the treatment needed. They ensure that the same judges, prosecutors and advocates stay on cases. But many courts lack the resources to run hearings in line with best practices. Though there is state funding for victim advocates, there aren’t enough advocates in court.
The pandemic has made matters worse for victims in lockdown and for courts struggling to keep up with cases. Connecticut ranks 25th in the nation for spending on shelters and programs per capita. We can do better.
Granted, the state has come far since Tracey Thurman successfully sued Torrington police in 1985 for failing to stop her abusive husband despite her pleas. But many victims seeking help still can’t get it. Some are even turned away from shelters.