Domestic violence is a scourge worldwide and York County is no exception. More often than not, when we hear of murders nearby, the deed was done by someone the victim knew personally.
In 2008, there were 31 homicides in the state and 20 of them were considered domestic violence, according the Attorney General’s Office, while in 2009, there were 24 homicides and 10 of them were domestic violence.
In 2009 alone, York County saw three domestic violence murders:
In Wells in January a wife set her 39-year-old husband on fire while he slept. He later died of his injuries.
In Acton that April, a son shot and killed his 55-year-old father; and in Old Orchard Beach that November, a man shot and killed his 50-year-old wife before turning the gun on himself.
And it was only a few years ago, in 2007, when Nicole Oliver, a 24-year-old mother of two from Wells, was killed by her husband, who then took his own life. Oliver had recently left her husband and was rebuilding her life when she was killed.
This past June, a Dexter man murdered his wife and two children before killing himself, after the woman had left him and received a protection from abuse order. And in May, the body of 6-year-old Camden Pierce Hughes was found in South Berwick, and it’s his mother who is charged with the murder.
Domestic violence isn’t some far-away problem, it’s a cancer that is eating away at families in our own communities. The justice system has made great strides in the past few decades to strengthen laws to prosecute abusers and protect the victims, all the while changing the social mores to bring this issue into the light. It wasn’t long ago that people just didn’t talk about violence in the home, considering it a private matter that wasn’t for public discussion, much less legal action. Now we have protection from abuse orders and police officers dedicated to checking up on people who have had domestic violence situations.
We’ve come a long way, but there is still work to be done.
It’s important we remember the victims and keep in mind the unseen who are dealing with abusive situations every day. Domestic violence is a difficult thing to combat because for those who grew up in a violent household, it’s the norm and the behavior is carried on through the generations. That’s why it’s so important for the rest of us to make a stand, both publicly and in private conversations, to spread the word that violent behavior in the home is NOT normal, acceptable or excusable under any circumstances.
Those who are living with those who are overly controlling, threatening, demeaning or outright physically abusive must hear the message that they don’t have to live that way. There is a way out, a way forward, and the support system locally is strong for those who make the decision to get out of an abusive relationship.
Anyone who notices a friend, neighbor or co-worker exhibiting signs of experiencing domestic violence must have the courage to let that person know that they are not alone and they can take action to change ”“ and, indeed, save ”“ their life and the lives of their children and household pets, all of whom are negatively impacted by violent living situations.
Caring Unlimited, York County’s domestic violence support service, has plenty of information about the signs of abuse ”“ and how to help without putting the victim in danger ”“ on its website,
We all have a chance to show our support to end domestic violence during this month of awareness. The second annual Rally and March in Saco and Biddeford will be Thursday, Oct. 27 at noon. We’d encourage anyone who can take some time out of their lunch hour to join Caring Unlimited and the Saco and Biddeford police departments in a display of support to end domestic violence. The march begins outside the Saco Transportation Center and ends at Mechanics Park in Biddeford.
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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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