Domestic violence increases as economy takes a hit
By Kiri Lanice Walton, Staff Writer
kwalton@williamsonherald.com
The stress of the economy is being felt everywhere, but maybe more so for victims of domestic violence. With the recent Williamson County murder of Rikki White, whose boyfriend Antonio Forrest has been charged with criminal homicide for her along with the recent beating of pop superstar Rihanna allegedly by her R&B star boyfriend Chris Brown, domestic violence is in the forefront of many people’s minds.
White had gotten an order of protection for herself and her two children two days before she was beaten to death with a hammer.
“It has to do with power and control, and it has to do with morals and respect of other people. The economy just lays another layer of tension on a relationship that might not know how to deal with conflict,” said BRIDGES of Williamson County Executive Director Linda Crockett Jackson.
Because this crime is about power and control, and many individuals with a large amount of wealth often have a large amount of power, it is not difficult to see that in Williamson County — one of the nation’s wealthiest — domestic violence can be a widespread issue.
Last year, Bridges received 6,000 calls, 85 percent of which were from individuals in Williamson County.
In times of economic downturn, domestic violence escalates, said Jackson.
“We’ve noticed lately that the women coming in the shelter, the physical abuse has been more severe,” Jackson said. She could not provide specifics regarding the level of abuse so as not to identify any victims.
BRIDGES has seen an increase from July 2008 to January 2009 of the numbers of calls they are receiving, clients they are sheltering and in court advocacy compared to the same time period a year ago.
There has been an increase of more than 300 participants. The number of nights that the shelter was used by participants has increased by about 600.
According to statistics from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department reported 233 offenses of domestic violence in 2007. The Brentwood Police Department reported 55 offenses of domestic violence, Fairview Police Department reported 81 and Franklin reported 306 offenses.
The data for 2008 has not been released.
The increase could be the result of several factors, Jackson said.
It is a combination of us working diligently to brand-name their organization and training first-line responders as well as an increase in population and the current state of the economy, Jackson said.
Money is an issue that “goes to the underlying power and control issues,” Jackson said.
It can be the scariest time when one leaves a domestic violence situation because a person knows and has adapted to that abusive situation, however, she may not know how to survive on her own or how to feed her children.
“The unknown is scarier than the known for some people, but if you can get past that and come to the realization you deserve not to be hit, then the peace and freedom to accomplish your dreams and goals is all a reality that could never happen in a relationship like that,” Jackson said.
How can it be stopped?
Domestic violence perpetrators cannot make bail within 12 hours of being jailed, which allows the victim time to create a plan for how to handle the situation or to seek treatment and shelter.
Jackson has noticed that law enforcement agencies are much more responsive than in the past in regards to domestic abuse cases.
For victims, Jackson encourages they obtain orders of protection, which is what White did two days before being beaten to death.
“Rikki did everything she possibly could. The police department, the judges, everybody responded exactly like they should,” Jackson said. “I don’t know what anyone could have done in that situation.”
However, there is hope and Jackson has seen several successful cases where victims were able to get out of abusive environments and lead healthy lives.
“I don’t think there will be a significant decrease in domestic violence until more men and men’s groups have the attitude that this is not right in our society and hold other men accountable.”
“Typically most of them have low self-esteem. Either they brought that in or it was knocked down during the relationship,” Jackson said.
Because our country is more of a patriarchy, Jackson said that those in control are those who are going to have to bring about an overhaul and make a change.
“Over the last generation, we’ve come a long way, but we have a lot longer to go,” Jackson said. “If we can just keep progressing.”
She said that seeing women in positions of power and having more equal pay for equal work will help build self-esteem in women. However, that self-esteem can always be knocked down if someone is persistent enough.
“I can tell you all day long how important you are and help you recognize your accomplishments, but every time you walk through the door, if you hit a roadblock or obstacle, that’s going to knock you backwards two or three steps,” Jackson said.
Victims of domestic abuse can be especially difficult because the person committing the acts of abuse is someone the victim loves.
Susan Still, a women’s rights activist and survivor of an abusive marriage is making two presentations on April 23 at The Factory at 1 p.m. and at 6 p.m. The event will also include local agencies assisting victims of domestic violence.
Still’s husband would beat her, instruct their children to address her as “white slut” and even had their son videotape him beating her. At dinner, he would show the tape and pause it to point out Still’s “flaws” and attempt to justify his violence.
She finally sought police protection after a decade of abuse from her husband, who was given the longest sentence of 36 years imprisonment of any domestic violence crime not resulting in death of the victim. Still has appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and has shared her story with Diane Sawyers on “20/20.”
Posted on: 4/23/2009
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