Domestic Violence Article

Domestic Violence Article

Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence in Lincoln County
Story date: 10/17/2007
By Kay Liss
Courtney Cadien

The good news was that domestic violence in Lincoln County has not gone up in the past year. This was part of the message from the county Lincoln County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Ken Mason at a domestic violence awareness fair at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Wiscasset on Tuesday.

He was one of six speakers who addressed various aspects of the issue. The fair was organized by Courtney Cadien who, as a domestic violence survivor, is a passionate and articulate spokesperson. Formerly of South Carolina, she now lives in Westport Island.

"I am your textbook case. And although it took me a while to figure it out, my recovery is a good path. I moved on from anger to a more positive role, putting my experience in a light that will hopefully help victims, survivors and anyone close to the situation know just how dangerous domestic violence is," she stated.

Cadien has been working closely with the Center for Disease Control's Chooserespect.org, a program for middle school parents and children, and with Womansavers.com, which is creating an online list of potentially harmful men and women.

She noted that domestic violence does not stop without the perpetrator receiving therapy. In her case, the tragedy was that because the perpetrator, with whom she was in a relationship, was not helped or stopped, he went on to attack another woman, a 78-year old he was doing work for who died as a result. She added that one of the most dangerous times for a victim of domestic violence is when she is trying to leave.

To help in these crucial times, New Hope for Women, which covers Knox, Lincoln and Waldo Counties, offers emergency shelters. Tina Tucker, New Hope educator, said these people who offer a room in their homes are "unsung heroes" and represent "hospitality in its essence."

The other crucial New Hope service in desperate times for victims, or potential victims, is a 24-hour emergency hotline. Additional services include longer-term transitional housing and legal services.

Tucker noted that after two women were shockingly murdered as a result of domestic violence in Boothbay three years ago, the community responded by seeking ways to help in educating citizens about the seriousness of the problem. Community forums were held featuring professionals in the field, clergy and even the state attorney general.

Deputy Mason said his department now has a domestic violence investigator designated only for that work. With this addition, and the very recent criminalization of forms of domestic violence other than assault, such as verbal threatening and terrorizing, domestic stalking, reckless conduct and domestic criminal mischief, incidences appear to be decreasing.

"We now have a zero tolerance approach, and I think we're getting a handle on the problem," said Mason. Someone asked what happens if the victim does not want to testify against the perpetrator, which often happens for fear of reprisal. Mason said now such testimony is not necessary. "We just need the officer's statement."

Mary McKeen, who works for the state in the Office of Elder Services, spoke about domestic violence amongst the elderly, saying it was very difficult to prove such cases and that it probably happens more often than is ever known. Rebecca Wolfenden of Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine stressed how violence in young children can lead to later violent behavior.

Glenn Plyler of St. Philip's Church addressed issues of alcohol abuse, which he noted often contribute to the problem of domestic violence. He advised that if one is under the threat of violence from someone who has a drinking problem, that person should just remove him or herself from the situation.

A woman, wiping away the tears as she spoke, said her daughter was in a very threatening domestic situation and that the husband possessed guns. She feared for her daughter's safety and wondered why he wasn't being arrested. Deputy Mason said he couldn't really address the problem without knowing more about it. Tucker from New Hope for Women advised her privately after the forum.