BOWLING GREEN — Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear is issuing updated guidance on how best to seek justice for survivors of domestic violence for state prosecutors.
October marks National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Beshear said the update to his office’s Domestic Violence Policy and Procedure Manual <https://ag.ky.gov/family/victims/Documents/DV_Policy-and-Procedure-Manual.pdf> helps combat Kentucky’s rates of domestic violence related crimes, which are higher than national averages.
“Nearly one in three women and men in Kentucky experience some form of intimate partner violence — and thousands of our children are affected when their parent is hurt or killed by an abusive partner,” Beshear said. “The guidelines send a strong message to domestic violence survivors that my office is working with local prosecutors to stop the cycle of violence in our communities by protecting victims and holding offenders accountable.”
Beshear’s Office of Victims Advocacy updated the 119-page manual, as required by law, in order to provide county and commonwealth’s attorneys with specialized guidance on how to pursue victim-centered, trauma informed prosecutions of domestic violence.
The manual provides new information on domestic violence laws, specifically interpersonal protective orders and resources to support case prosecution. The manual also includes instruction on prosecution policy in domestic and dating violence cases, duties of law enforcement officers, agencies and courts, as well as preliminary and pretrial case preparation.
“The prosecution of domestic violence cases always bring a unique set of challenges,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Chris Cohron, who serves Warren County. “Establishing a consistent protocol on how these cases are handled helps to obtain positive results in these delicate cases.”
Beshear made today’s announcement at Western Kentucky University during the campus’ Domestic Violence Awareness Month kick-off event, hosted by WKU President Timothy C. Caboni.
“Domestic violence, and all behaviors that bring physical and emotional harm to our community, will not be tolerated at WKU,” President Caboni said. “Events like National Domestic Violence Awareness Month bring these issues out of the shadows and into the public light. WKU will continue to provide resources, forge and nurture partnerships and work to educate our community so that victims and survivors know they are not standing alone.”
“Engaging with the WKU community to provide services to victims of domestic violence and dating violence is a benefit to our entire community,” said Tori Henninger, executive director, BRASS Inc. “The strong stance the Attorney General has towards the fight against domestic violence will not only benefit our local communities but continue to make the state of Kentucky a leading example of how to assist domestic violence survivors.”
“Domestic violence can have long-lasting health effects even after the abuse ends,” said Lori Gordon, senior director of product operations, behavioral health, WellCare Health Plans. “Victims may suffer migraines, nervous system disorders and chronic pain syndromes, as well as psychological problems including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, antisocial behavior and suicidal tendencies. These long-term effects can degrade a person’s ability to work and care for their children. It’s no wonder that WellCare sees domestic violence as a public health threat.”
Over the past two years, Beshear and his Office of Victims Advocacy have been working to seek justice for victims of violent crimes, like domestic violence and sexual assault — one of the core missions of his office.
Since 2016, nearly 400 victims of domestic violence have been assisted by Beshear’s Office of Victims Advocacy, which also provides free training and technical assistance on partner violence.
In June, the office created a statewide map <http://ag.ky.gov/family/victims/Documents/Map_VictimAdvocates.pdf> of victim advocates that includes local and regional prosecutors and law enforcement agencies. The map helps guide survivors and their families to the appropriate agency in their county or region who can counsel them and advise them of their rights as victims.
In January, the office launched a Survivors Council <http://ag.ky.gov/family/victims/survivorscouncil/Pages/default.aspx> , the first of its kind in any Attorney General’s office nationwide and the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking served as inspiration for the council.
Members of the council are survivors of violent crimes and advise and assist the Office of the Attorney General on matters related to victims of crime, including advancing victim-centered services, trainings, policy and raising awareness.
Lisa Murray, council member and survivor of domestic violence, says the council has provided her a seat at the table and empowered her to make things better for other victims who have to walk the same road.
“Through the experience on the Survivors Council I have learned that people do care, will support and fight, will lift you up when depleted of energy and will celebrate as you learn that you are worthy of all things good in this world,” Murray said. “When that realization happened to me, I became a survivor, no one’s victim.”
Beshear encourages all Kentuckians to take a zero-tolerance stance on domestic violence by talking about and reporting the crime and supporting survivors by being an active bystander.
To reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which is free and confidential, dial 800-799-SAFE. To reach Beshear’s Office of Victims Advocacy, contact Executive Director Gretchen Hunt at 502-696-5312.