Domestic violence fatalities still a concern

In spite of our greatest efforts, domestic violence deaths are still a topic of discussion. On February 1, 2013, 66-year-old Marzell Mann shot and killed his live-in girlfriend, 51-year-old Rosa Jackson, then killed himself.
The Havana Police Chief says his officers have been called to their home several times in the past, but this time it was deadly. Police say the man shot and killed his girlfriend, tried to shoot an officer, then shot and killed himself.
Local area law enforcement agencies were called in, and after standing by for almost two hours, they went inside to find the victim deceased, and the shooter deceased as well.
When news such as this reaches out into the community, it seems to be a shock to many; however some are becoming numb to it. The saddest part of stories like this is that there are more stories just like this across the country. These crimes are happening far too often and the questions still remain as to what can be done.
Is society doing everything that it needs to do to figure out what is causing these situations to occur so often? Some ask, “What are we doing wrong?” Research continues to study whether there are gaps in services, if there is something that is not being done that should be done, if there are services available to those who need it, and whether people who need these services are taking advantage of them.
There are so many public service announcements showing what domestic violence is and numbers flashing across the screen for how to receive help, it creates pause as to why this is still a topic of discussion. There are classes and programs about prevention and intervention and even post-vention….but everyone is still left with the questions of what is it going to take to get to a place where people feel safe in their relationships. What can be taken away from this discussion? That is the question posed in every forum, every courtroom, every shelter, every agency…
For the families that must mourn the death of a loved one, there is little comfort in knowing that although there are services to help, the life of their loved one was still taken. The world mourns for the ones that feel trapped in a situation they cannot get out of. The world mourns for the ones that have used up all of their favors and their family and friends have turned their back on them. Society wonders what it can do to make a man or woman leave a relationship the first time for good, instead of returning and leaving the average of seven times. Society wishes it can just put their arms around the hurting and tell them that someone can help them escape a relationship they feel is going to one day lead to their death. Any death, even a senseless one caused by domestic violence, leaves many questions and concerns that may never be answered or addressed.

It Ends Where it BeginsIt Ends Where it Begins