will help Mecklenburg County as a community understand more about the
crime, the victims, the perpetrators and the agencies and
organizations working to prevent it.
"If You Leave Me I Will Kill You" is the title of the first report
from the Mecklenburg County Domestic Violence Fatality Prevention and
Protection Review Team. At its meeting on July 12, 2011, the
Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners heard from team
representatives. Retired District Court Judge Jane Harper is chair of
the DVFRT and she presented the report.
"The title for this report was chosen based on a common factor in
three of the four cases reviewed by the Mecklenburg Team over the past
year," according to the report's introduction. "Three of the four
women heard this threat before her husband, or boyfriend, killed her."
North Carolina legislation created the DVFRT on June 1, 2009 as a
pilot project in Mecklenburg County. In 2008, North Carolina had 81
domestic violence-related homicides and of that number, 11 happened in
Charlotte, according to the report. The legislation provides the
needed legal protection to make it easier for agencies to share case
information in a full review. The BOCC and the Domestic Violence
Community Leadership Team, a group of public and private agency
leaders committed to zero tolerance for domestic violence, supported
the push for the legislation.
Community Support Services, a Mecklenburg County department that
includes the Women's Commission, is lead agency for the effort. The
report includes recommendations for agencies such as law enforcement,
social services, health care providers, families, friends and others
in the community who may be able to help a person in need. Key
recommendations include: increased training about DV for new and
experienced police officers; increased public awareness about signs
and impacts of DV exposure; and increased awareness of the requirement
to report DV exposure of children to Child Protective Services.
"This first year report points out the ongoing need to educate the
public about DV signs and symptoms and the available resources in this
community," CSS Director Stacy Lowry said. "When more people – family,
friends, co-workers – recognize DV and reach out to help, we will have
a safer community."
Help is available through the Mecklenburg Women's Commission at
704-336-3210 and through the United Family Services Shelter for
Battered Women at 704-332-2513. Read the entire report online and find
additional information about domestic violence education, prevention
and counseling.
