DEATHS DECLINE
Domestic violence fatalities sharply decrease by 80 percent in Chester County prior to 2020 shutdown
KENNETT SQUARE » Homicides from domestic violence have decreased by 80 percent in Chester County during 2018 and 2019.
However, 32 deaths were ruled the result of domestic violence crimes during the last 10 years in Chester County. Pennsylvania does not have reporting requirements for domestic violence homicides.
Still, their identities are far from erased. Many local victims continue to be remembered by their still-grieving families and friends — every day. Their loss is real.
“Chester County, like many other places across the nation and the world, is experiencing a rise in domestic violence during the pandemic,” said Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan. “We know that child abuse cases are going unreported and hidden from view due to school closures and other pandemicrelated factors,” she said. “We must and we will continue to strive to protect our children and families now and in the future.”
Christine Zaccarelli, chief executive officer at The Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, founded in 1992, said help is available for victims 24-7, 365 days a year.
Zaccarelli, who grew up in Downingtown, said families can call The Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County even on Christmas to talk for support.
To turn the tide against domestic violence in American society, Zaccarelli said to believe the victims. “When victims, or friends and family, speak out and share stories of domestic violence happening.”
Across Pennsylvania, 1,600 people have died as a result of domestic violence during the last 10 years, according to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Friday night at Citizens Bank Park was Phillies Domestic Violence Awareness Night. Five local programs against domestic violence were represented on the Phillies PhanaVision to raise awareness for victims and their families during the game.
“As a society, we need to change our thinking about the dynamics of abuse. There’s a tendency to justify an abuser’s actions while questioning the victim’s (intent),” said Julie Bancroft, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence chief public affairs
officer. “We should be asking why abusers abuse, not ‘why don’t victims just leave?’ The reality is that domestic violence is much more than physical abuse.
“Often long periods of verbal, emotional, and financial abuse can occur before physical violence takes place,” she said. “These behaviors and tactics drain victims of their resources and put them in significant danger. We need to stop minimizing these behaviors and holding abusers accountable.”
The murder of Gabrielle Petito, 22, of North Port, Florida, has made international
headlines. In her honor, the hashtag #AmericasDaughter trended across the nation this past weekend.
Known by her nickname Gabby, the Long Island, New York, native was traveling with her boyfriend in late August and witnesses reported the couple in public domestic disputes. Her body was discovered last weekend at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
Gabby’s boyfriend, an ex-finance fled his home in Florida after returning there without her on September 1. Gabby’s family reported her missing on September 11. Law enforcement found her remains on August 19 in Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming.
Her ex-finance, now deemed a person-of-interest by the FBI in the case has avoided nationwide law enforcement efforts for his capture. He also gas-lighted law enforcement when the couple was pulled over back in August near downtown Moab, Utah.
At the very end of summer, Gabby tragically shined a spotlight once again on domestic violence in American society. And now that fall has returned, the stories of missing marginalized persons have also risen forward from muted spaces where there are less resources, and advocates, fighting for change.
With the spotlight on Gabby’s homicide, friends and families of other missing persons are asking for similar support in finding their lost loved ones now more than ever.
In Chester County, there are resources available. Here local leaders, from law enforcement officers to victim advocates, are making a difference.
Founded in 1976, the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County is placing
purple ribbons throughout Chester County all October in Oxford, Kennett Square, Coatesville, Downingtown, West Chester, Malvern, and Phoenixville and on Lincoln and West Chester University’s campuses.
Domestic Violence Center of Chester County answers 200 to 300 hotline calls each month, said Amelia Rayburn-Pizzica, director of education programs. The Chesco organization supports over 1,500 new victims — and survivors — annually.
From 2018 to 2019, there was an 80 percent decrease in domestic related homicides in Chester County, she said.
The center has emergency resources for victims including shelters.
“Domestic Violence has been traditionally known as physical violence between spouses or partners,” said Kennett Square Chief of Police William Holdsworth. “That definition has really evolved over the past decade or more to include not only physical violence, but sexual and psychological violence from an intimate partner, whether it be a current or former intimate partner.”
Lawmakers recognize the problem and are beginning to take action. Recently, the Crime Victims Center of Chester County received $698,379 in federal STOP Violence Against Women Grant program funds for the Rights and Services (RASA) and Victims of Juvenile Offenders (VOJO) project.
Domestic Violence Center of Chester County advocates work with Chester County local police departments via the Lethality Assessment Program to support the victims of domestic violence and prevent homicides for the people involved in these cases.
Called LAP, the program was enacted in Chester County by the Domestic Violence Center in 2012.
The Kennett Square police chief said the LAP process has helped the department incorporate important services to victims of domestic violence.
“LAP (Lethality Assessment Program) has been extremely successful in helping
get victims or those before they become victims, connected to services meant to save their lives,” Holdsworth said. “Those who ‘screen in’ through questions asked from our responding police officers are put in contact with an advocate to help explain and provide services available to them to stop violence from continuing and ultimately save a life.”
Holdsworth said besides the bilingual officers employed at the Kennett Square Police Department, agencies such The Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Domestic Violence Center of Chester County and Chester County District Attorney’s Office have bilingual advocates as well.
Further, he added, depending on the specific language needed, law enforcement and advocates may seek further assistance from other outside agencies to help victims further explain what has happened and guide them through the criminal justice process and gain the support that they need.
“We are here to help everyone from becoming a victim of domestic violence and to better the lives of not only the immediate victim but the children and families,” Holdsworth said. “We are here for them.”
Hope & Healing
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. An annual Tree Lighting Ceremony for the Tree of Hope & Healing shall take place on Friday, October 1 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Schuylkill Township Municipal Grounds, 111 Valley Park Road, Phoenixville. Parking will be available at Calvary Bible Church, across the street from the park at 110 Valley Park Road.
To turn the tide, the crux is for change is two-fold: resources and advocates, according to Dolly Wideman Scott, chief executive officer of Domestic Violence Center of Chester County.
“It does take leadership, strong advocacy and really getting individuals on board with really saving lives, paying attention to