October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is supposed to be a time when communities recommit themselves to believing victims, protecting survivors, holding offenders accountable and recognizing that domestic violence can be deadly. In Haywood County, I believe that conversation also needs to include a serious examination of how victims are treated once they turn to the legal system for help.
Over the past week, I have watched a close relative attempt to navigate that system after a violent domestic assault involving strangulation. The person accused has a prior criminal history that includes domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon. Our family also reported serious concerns about his access to a firearm, including a previous incident in which he allegedly appeared at my relative’s door with a gun and threatened suicide.
Given those circumstances, I expected urgency.
