by Thúy-Lan Võ Lite
In response to the 35 domestic homicides since January (and two more killings under investigation “likely to be added to the tally”), the Philadelphia Police Department announced plans for a “new police protocol” for domestic abuse cases, writes NYT. As there were often strong warning signs — 21 of the 35 victims had called the police 178 times in total — the new protocol will require dispatchers to inform officers of previous reports of domestic violence and existing restraining orders related to a given caller.
The number of domestic homicides is up 67% from 2008, and domestic violence in general has increased nationwide. The recession seems to be doubly responsible:
“Domestic violence is up, and while the poor economy that helps drive the violence is still not rebounded, states are drastically slashing funding for domestic violence services,” said Sheryl Cates, chief executive of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, a federally financed emergency hot line.
Understanding the severity of a situation, with which Philadelphia’s plan will help, is fundamental to handling domestic violence cases with the seriousness that they merit. It’s alarming that this pretty basic idea — searching for a history or warning signs of violence — isn’t already utilized.
(photo from H is for Home‘s flickr.)
