Jan
2016
EDITORIAL-Domestic Violence: It’s Real. It’s Terrible. It’s Right Under Our Noses
Those paying any mind to the news recently, discovered an unthinkable truth; five people were found dead inside a home on Lake Minnetonka in the city of Greenwood.
While investigation into the matter is still continuing, one thing is sure: Karen Short and her three teenage children were killed in their respective bedrooms with gun wounds in their head. Husband of Karen, Brian Short was also found dead in their garage, having fell victim to a self-inflicted gunshot.
The Shorts and others in similar situations, were victims of familicide, a form of murder-suicide in which at least one spouse and one plus children are killed. This event combined with past similar ones should be cause for alarm.
In Minnesota 2012, seven people were subject to this treacherous act, according to the Minnesota Coalition for Battered women. The number then grew to nine in 2013 but dropped to six the following year.
Another case was April 8th, 2014 when 62-year-old Beverly Gongoll was found dead in her home in Waconia alongside her husband, Kenneth Gongoll. Kenneth was believed to have first killed his wife before turning the gun around, committing a murder-suicide.
Similarly, on Jan. 18, 2015, the bodies of Komel Crowley , husband David Crowley, and 5-year-old daughter, Raniya were found in their Apple Valley home. Yet again, initial reports showed that Raniya and Komel were murdered while David committed suicide leaving all of the corpses for weeks.
As of late September, the number of people in Minnesota killed by a family member during domestic assault was 22, according to the director of the Pearl Crisis Center, Judy Pearson. The County-based organization, The Mille Lacs, supports victims of domestic abuse and tracks those killed by domestic violence. Including the figure of the death of Larry Bowser, who was shot and killed by his 91-year-old father in their nice Maplewood home.
The extreme is met when domestic violence ends in death, however other physical or emotional forms of domestic violence take place right under our noses. Domestic violence is quite real. Its horrifying abuse that destroys families and relationships.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence released startling details in preparation of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The startling details are below:
• Every nine seconds, A U.S. woman is beaten or assaulted.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women, more than car accidents, muggings, or rape.
• Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
• Nearly one in five teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm in a break-up situation.
• Every day in the U.S., more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.
But how do we save victims of domestic violence? How do we as a broken society stop those who would hurt or even kill their spouses, children, or significant others?
The key is to be aware and have a voice for yourself if you witness or are a victim of domestic abuse. There are many resources available to aid in such issues. For example, the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women has a 24-hour hotline available and shelter services are accessible by calling the Alexandra House in Anoka County.
If you are in an abusive relationship or struggling with violent tendencies, it is highly advised to get help now. If you are aware of a abusive relationship, help them! Recognizing the problem is the first step to solving said problem.
Domestic violence affects me because of the enormity of the problem mainly with women because of their supposed vulnerability. This affects the world because, it is, in all actuality, an epidemic that will only spread as life goes on. If no provisions are taken, the world will undoubtedly crumble as all means are relationships are ceased. Therefore, I wholeheartedly agree with ECM’s opinion of domestic violence because of the established seriousness of the problem, followed by a means to an end.