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NEWPORT – In Washington State, 41% of women and 32% of men report experiencing domestic violence throughout their lifetimes according to the Washington State Institute for Public Policy.
Pend Oreille County Sheriff Glenn Blakeslee said law enforcement is pulled into a domestic violence scene due to calls to the department.
“It can happen anywhere at home, at social gatherings, anywhere,” he said.
Law enforcement has to be careful on domestic violence calls, he said.
“This is a routine investigation that can turn into a dangerous call,” he said. Two deputies are necessary to respond to domestic violence, often trained in de-escalation tactics for those experiencing mental health issues.
“We try to separate the parties,” Blakeslee said. “Then we gather stories from each individual.”
Blakeslee said it is not a crime to have an argument.
“But, when it comes to physical injuries or property damage, it is,” he said.
Washington state criminal penalties for domestic violence related crimes are divided into two general categories – misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors and felonies.
Simple assault, assault, malicious mischief 3rd degree, interfering with reporting a crime of domestic violence, harassment and violation of a no contact order (when there has not been an assault or two or more prior convictions for violation of a no contact order) are all gross misdemeanors. This means that they can be punished by up to 364 days in jail and up to a $5,000 fine.
Assault in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree, malicious mischief in the 1st or 2nd degree, felony harassment, and violation of a no contact order with an assault or two or more prior convictions are all felonies.
Sarah Kramer, director of the Family Crisis Network, an agency that provides services to victims of crime, said that all cases she and her staff sees are not court ordered.
Instead, crime victims come voluntarily.
“We are also called in to domestic violence on scene by law enforcement to assess the situation,” Kramer said.
Victim and family counseling is kept confidential even from law enforcement to protect their privacy. The offending abuser is not involved.
Washington state law, RCW 10.99.020, claims there are collective costs to domestic violence, not just to the couple. These include the systematic destruction of individuals and their families, lost lives, lost productivity as well as increased health care, criminal justice and social service costs.
Kramer finds resources for victims including shelter and clothing, legal resources and counseling by validating victims’ feelings. For the offender, there is anger management and power and control, Kramer explained, with anger management easier to overcome.
“Anger management goes to the surface. Power and control are harder to overcome,” she said.
While incidents of domestic violence are not caused by perpetrator’s use of alcohol and illegal substances, substance abuse may be a contributing factor to domestic violence and the injuries and deaths that result from it.
Kramer said for couples who wish to remain together, offenders can enroll in perpetrator treatment that goes deep into anger management. The Stop program in Spokane is the closest to Newport.
Kramer said while domestic violence statistics remain steady, there has been an uptick in strangulations.
“With strangulation, you get hemorrhaging, blood clots, it’s life threatening,” she said. “There are not always physical signs, but internally strangulations affect the body.”
Kramer said when families are involved it can be difficult.
“The main issue is when a child watches violence in the home. This causes trauma, learning difficulties and behavioral issues,” she said.
Family Crisis Center is holding an “In her Shoes” event at Quail Run Ranch in Newport Saturday, Oct. 5.
The event will feature a complimentary Longhorn BBQ dinner, a domestic violence impact panel, and a walkthrough experience.
“The walkthrough experience gives people perspective of a domestic violence victim. It’s not always easy to leave a domestic partner,” Kramer said.
