Wilmington Island, GA: Two Recent Domestic Violence Incidents Highlight Need To Seek Help Before Problem Escalates

SAVANNAH, GA --
Two shootings in Savannah in less than two weeks allegedly began as domestic violence. In one the shooting victim died...in the other, the shooting victim is hospitalized in critical condition. How does the problem get to that point and where can victims find help before it does?

On Saturday - Savannah recorded it's first domestic violence homicide of the year. Metro Police say a woman shot and killed her husband during a dispute at their home on Wilmington Island. That incident follows another less than two weeks ago in which a woman shot her husband during a dispute at their home in Windsor Forest. He remains hospitalized in critical condition. Neither woman has been charged. In the earlier case, police identified the husband as the primary aggressor. Cheryl Branch, Director of Savannah’s Safe Shelter says, “In battered wife syndrome, the victim literally doesn't think there's any other way out.” But it doesn't have to get to that point. Help is available...though Branch it's often hard to get those abused to seek it out, “Victims I think for one thing - they tend to minimize their situation - they really do and I think the other thing is - they really think it's gonna get better.”

That's why Safe Shelter works closely with Metro Police and the District Attorney's office to get help to victims before it's too late. A pilot program called a "lethality assessment" is seeing some success according to Branch, “All police officers - when they go to a domestic violence scene, they have to talk to the victim, do this assessment and then they can say to her - based on this lethality assessment - you are in grave danger - please let me call safe shelter for you.” It’s a small window of opportunity to get the victim help when he or she may be more likely to accept it. The D.A.'s office can also use the assessment to move forward with prosecuting a case even without the victim's statement. An example of Safe Shelter, police and the D.A. - all working together to save victims who sometimes don't feel able to save themselves says Branch, “Because they're different you know, you don't have another crime with a victim trying to bail her attacker out of jail, going to see him in the hospital you know - the dynamics of these - they're criminal offenses, but the dynamics are so different.”

The number to call for help 24 hours a day, seven days a week is (912)629-8888. The Safe Shelter will also provide help for men in domestic violence situations. In both these cases - one of the people involved was a soldier. A spokesperson for Ft. Stewart says the military provides safe shelters for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children. They can stay in a designated shelter until it is safe to return home or to another secure location.