OK, so now what? Mr. Shelton is in prison, where he no longer can prey on innocent victims. The pain left in the wake of the court testimony and grief of the collective losses leaves a scar on everyone involved. How do we move forward collectively to address domestic violence in Green County? Our ability to deny the problem exists completely diminished with the closing of a very small coffin. So now what?
Tuesday's editorial in this paper asked some important and tough questions. Does law enforcement have the proper tools and personnel to deal with domestic violence offenders? Do agencies that provide assistance and shelter to victims of domestic abuse have the proper funding and resources? Is the justice system harsh enough in dealing with abusers to serve as a deterrent?
From a victim advocacy perspective the answers are both yes and no.
The Green County Abuse Prevention Team (GCAPT) comes to the table once a month. Both governmental and non-governmental agencies collaborate to address abuse and domestic violence. This past spring, all uniformed officers in Green County attended a single-day training designed to improve the quality of investigations of domestic violence and sexual assault. This training provided officers the tools. I cannot speak to the personnel resources, but given budget cuts and budget shortfalls, elected officials have tough decisions to make. In the Shelton case, Detective Terry Argue and others from the Green County Sheriff's Department put a solid case together that the District Attorney's office was able to move forward. That took time, and overtime is expensive. As county taxpayers, you foot that bill. On behalf of victims, thank you. As voters, each of you help to determine the budget priorities, and as interpersonal violence damages the very fabric of a community, addressing it should be a priority.
Does Green Haven have proper funding and resources? No. We have grown from a staff of four to a staff of eight in the past two years to meet the increased need for services. If our current growth rate holds for 2009, we will see an increase of 60 to 70 percent over 2008. The resources of our primary funders (the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services and the Green County United Way) also are limited. Staff turnover due to very low wages and lack of benefits is a constant threat to service provision and also impacts our ability to provide prevention education and outreach. For instance, a promising program designed to get victims connected to our crisis line staff in the first hours following an incident "Officer Call" has not been expanded past the initial pilot community of Brodhead due to the need to do the necessary outreach to police agencies.
The needs are many and resources low. As a nonprofit organization, we depend on tax-deductible contributions from the community. We also are seeking volunteers, including two to four persons to serve on the board of directors, help with fundraising activities and serve as kind, calm voices on the crisis line. Please call (608) 325-6489 to offer your assistance or go to our Web site for ideas.
Is the justice system dealing with offenders in a way that clearly sends a message domestic violence is a serious crime and will not be tolerated in Green County? In delivering his decision to Mr. Shelton, Judge Beer mentioned not only the protection of the community from additional harm but also the deterrent value of the sentence. Time will tell if this maximum sentence has deterrent value, but in saying so out loud Judge Beer is making clear that this sentence is a warning to those who would abuse. While I firmly believe (given the right set of circumstances) anyone can find they are in a bad situation that places them in front of a judge, for most people once is enough. The first deferred prosecution agreement given to an abuser should be the last deferred prosecution agreement given to that same abuser. Failure to comply with that agreement should land you in jail.
When a protective restraining order is violated (as Mr. Shelton did - repeatedly), a clear lack of respect for the court system is shown. Again, as voters you have control over the type of court system you have. You also have the right to demand criminals be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
While I do not wish to live in a community where we see a Casey Shelton around every corner, I also do not want to live in a community where we fail to recognize that Casey Sheltons do exist and resources to help his victims are important. Please keep all the victims and those who work to keep others from harm in your hearts; these are difficult times.
- Alice Franks-Gray is executive director of Green Haven Family Advocates of Monroe, an organization providing advice, relief and shelter for victims of domestic abuse.
Tuesday's editorial in this paper asked some important and tough questions. Does law enforcement have the proper tools and personnel to deal with domestic violence offenders? Do agencies that provide assistance and shelter to victims of domestic abuse have the proper funding and resources? Is the justice system harsh enough in dealing with abusers to serve as a deterrent?
From a victim advocacy perspective the answers are both yes and no.
The Green County Abuse Prevention Team (GCAPT) comes to the table once a month. Both governmental and non-governmental agencies collaborate to address abuse and domestic violence. This past spring, all uniformed officers in Green County attended a single-day training designed to improve the quality of investigations of domestic violence and sexual assault. This training provided officers the tools. I cannot speak to the personnel resources, but given budget cuts and budget shortfalls, elected officials have tough decisions to make. In the Shelton case, Detective Terry Argue and others from the Green County Sheriff's Department put a solid case together that the District Attorney's office was able to move forward. That took time, and overtime is expensive. As county taxpayers, you foot that bill. On behalf of victims, thank you. As voters, each of you help to determine the budget priorities, and as interpersonal violence damages the very fabric of a community, addressing it should be a priority.
Does Green Haven have proper funding and resources? No. We have grown from a staff of four to a staff of eight in the past two years to meet the increased need for services. If our current growth rate holds for 2009, we will see an increase of 60 to 70 percent over 2008. The resources of our primary funders (the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services and the Green County United Way) also are limited. Staff turnover due to very low wages and lack of benefits is a constant threat to service provision and also impacts our ability to provide prevention education and outreach. For instance, a promising program designed to get victims connected to our crisis line staff in the first hours following an incident "Officer Call" has not been expanded past the initial pilot community of Brodhead due to the need to do the necessary outreach to police agencies.
The needs are many and resources low. As a nonprofit organization, we depend on tax-deductible contributions from the community. We also are seeking volunteers, including two to four persons to serve on the board of directors, help with fundraising activities and serve as kind, calm voices on the crisis line. Please call (608) 325-6489 to offer your assistance or go to our Web site for ideas.
Is the justice system dealing with offenders in a way that clearly sends a message domestic violence is a serious crime and will not be tolerated in Green County? In delivering his decision to Mr. Shelton, Judge Beer mentioned not only the protection of the community from additional harm but also the deterrent value of the sentence. Time will tell if this maximum sentence has deterrent value, but in saying so out loud Judge Beer is making clear that this sentence is a warning to those who would abuse. While I firmly believe (given the right set of circumstances) anyone can find they are in a bad situation that places them in front of a judge, for most people once is enough. The first deferred prosecution agreement given to an abuser should be the last deferred prosecution agreement given to that same abuser. Failure to comply with that agreement should land you in jail.
When a protective restraining order is violated (as Mr. Shelton did - repeatedly), a clear lack of respect for the court system is shown. Again, as voters you have control over the type of court system you have. You also have the right to demand criminals be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
While I do not wish to live in a community where we see a Casey Shelton around every corner, I also do not want to live in a community where we fail to recognize that Casey Sheltons do exist and resources to help his victims are important. Please keep all the victims and those who work to keep others from harm in your hearts; these are difficult times.
- Alice Franks-Gray is executive director of Green Haven Family Advocates of Monroe, an organization providing advice, relief and shelter for victims of domestic abuse.
