My View – Wayne Snoey

I was honored to serve on a Domestic Violence Work Group brought together last year by State Representative Roger Goodman   The Work Group consisted on dozens of individuals connected in some way with trying to solve Domestic Violence problems.  The participants ranged from DV Court Judges and administrators, defense attorneys, prosecutors, Attorney General representatives, DV counselors, DV children’s advocates, sexual assault organizations, police and victims.   The knowledge, capability, experience and determination of every member in the group  to protect victims of DV and provide real treatment for first time offenders was crystal clear from day one.

The Work Group was tasked with coming up with as many changes to DV laws and procedures, as possible, with the caveat that the changes could not cause a budget increase.  With lives at stake, this might seem to be an odd and unnecessary limitation.  Unfortunately, with the State budget billions of dollars short last year and more billions short this year, there is not money available.  Thousands of felons have been released from prison in the last year because there was not enough money to keep them behind bars.  It is difficult to add to prison populations no matter how noble the reason.

What the Work Group tried to do was to isolate the most important problems and hinderances in the system and make the most effective changes.  One obvious target is the small number of violent, serial offenders.  Most DV offenders are amenable to counseling.  Putting serial offenders behind bars for the long term, away from current and future victims, should cost less than the on-going costs of dealing with them time and time again.  This legislative change will be put forward with the support of the Attorney General.  Your Legislators need to hear from you that you support long-term incarceration of these violent, serial offenders.

Another important goal was to address the tragic problem of victims being arrested.  This happens far too often.  Can you imagine being assaulted by a larger person and, in the process of defending yourself, cause superficial wounds to the face or arms of the abuser?  Many serial offenders know that they can cause pain without obvious evidence.  When the police arrive, they have to make the tough decision based on what they see.  How awful for the real victim, who ends up handcuffed, in jail and in the “system”.  Recommendations were made that, if enacted, would provide the police with more information about serial offenders and give them more latitude to make the “right” arrest.  If enacted, many victims will be spared the mental grief of being arrested and the serial offender will not be rewarded for their violent cunning.

Dozens of other changes to the system were also researched, debated and recommended.  Until one gets this many people in a room together it is impossible to understand how many components there are to this single part of the criminal justice system.  As a former law enforcement officer, I had training and exposure to the “system”.  However, that was years ago and things have changed in the DV arena.  Over time, the community has recognized that DV is incredibly destructive not only to the victims, but to the families connected to both the perpetrator and victim.  Children are especially susceptible and need protection and counselling. 

There is not room in this Blog to cover all the areas discussed and recommended.  Suffice it to say that an amazing group produced some great possibilities.  Some can be implemented quickly.  Others will take time.  Some will take some money to implement and were put on hold.  The hope is that a later Phase 2 of the Work Group might make recommendations to the 2011 Legislative Session when the economy has turned around and resources might be available.  The dedication of Rep. Goodman, the members of the Work Group and the many unsung heros in the DV arena deserve your thanks as they labor to save lives and create healthy families.