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After 2018 spike in domestic violence deaths, experts look to data for solutions

Daily Times-Call - 12/28/2019

Dec. 28--When Longmont Police Department Detective Sandra Campanella thinks ahead to the new year, she thinks of the work that has to be done to improve resources for domestic violence victims so that they can safely leave abusive relationships.

This feeling surfaced last week , when Campanella reflected on a Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board report released by the Colorado Office of the Attorney General showed 43 people died from domestic violence in 2018, a number that surged in comparison to 2017, which saw a total of 39 deaths. While Campanella said population growth likely was a factor in the rise, it still points to an issue.

"It's 43 people too many," Campanella said.

The Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board is comprised of experts from the field who work with victims. The board was created in 2017 by the Colorado General Assembly to analyze data and create state policy recommendations. To compile the report, the board worked with the Denver Metro Domestic Violence Fatality Review committee.

"We need to always figure out how to learn from tragedy," said Attorney General Phil Weiser. "We need to go back and see what happened. What were the warning signs that were missed?"

Among those who died in 2018 were three victims from Weld County: Shanann Watts, 34, and her daughters, Celeste, 3, and Bella, 4. Christopher Watts, Shanann Watts' husband, was sentenced to life in prison in 2019 after he was convicted of their killings, which garnered national media attention. Denver had the highest number of domestic violence deaths, with eight women killed.

Several statistics in the report showed consistencies in the 2018 cases. Nearly 73% of the perpetrators had a history of domestic violence and about 80% had a history of drug and alcohol abuse. Twenty-seven of the victims died from gunshot wounds, which was listed as the most common cause of death and was nearly four times the number of people who were fatally stabbed.

When people have access to firearms in a violent relationship, the probability of a lethal situation increases, Campanella said. She said state laws on firearm violence need to be created and enforced with more accountability. In January, Gov. Jared Polis approved the so-called red flag law, giving judges the power to temporarily take guns from people who may harm themselves or others. Campanella said the law is "too new" to have had any real impact yet and that more still needs to be done.

She said one example is during bond hearings, when suspects stand before a judge, they are asked if they have access to firearms.

"They say 'yes' or 'no,'" she said. "If they say 'no,' and there's no one to rebut that statement, it's written down that they don't have any firearms to surrender."

Weiser said he believes the report also shows a need for more regulations to keep guns out of the hands of violent offenders.

"When you have a protective order, (there) needs to (be a way to) make sure those firearms are actually turned over and aren't used to hurt somebody," Weiser said. "That's something that I'm concerned about."

For victims of domestic violence, leaving relationships is one of the most dangerous times. Campanella said this is because many offenders may act on the sense that they have lost power in the situation. The report illustrated this, showing that 90% of perpetrators experienced feelings of abandonment and betrayal.

"(The biggest risk is) as she is physically in the act of leaving, pulling away from the curb, kids in the car, suitcases packed," Campanella said. "And then for those first 90 to 180 days. That really is about the abuser knowing that they can't control that person anymore."

While Campanella believes awareness about domestic violence is increasing, the report was among the indicators that more resources are needed so victims can safely leave a violent relationship. She said some of the biggest obstacles for those seeking to leave abusive relationships are access to legal representation to assist with divorce and child custody hearings, as well as the resources to find financial stability and housing.

"It's the same dilemma we've discussed before," Campanella said. "Where do they go? What do they do? At the end of the day, I don't know if public spending for resources for victims when they want to leave has actually increased."

Weiser echoed this.

"We need to be aware of how many victims feel alone and unable to share their concerns," Weiser said. "Creating more support needs to be priority."

Domestic violence resources:

-- Boulder -- Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Non-Violence24-hour crisis hotline: 303-444-242424-hour crisis email: hotline@safehousealliance.orgBoulder outreach: 303-449-8623

-- Longmont -- Safe Shelter of St Vrain Valley24-hour crisis line: 303-772-4422Office: 303-772-0432

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