As we begin to enter the holiday season, various changes inevitably occur, including the nature or types of calls for service experienced by the law enforcement profession. Typically during the holidays, deputies respond to an increase in thefts, crisis intervention, alcohol-related and domestic calls for service.
Added to the normal stresses of the holidays is this year’s economic crisis: jobs lost, homes foreclosed upon and families worried about simply making ends meet. Over the past several months the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has noted a steady increase in domestic disturbance calls within St. Mary’s County.
Approximately 30 percent of the domestic disturbance calls are from individuals or families which have never been involved in a domestic disturbance situation or needed law enforcement intervention in that regard.
Domestic violence is defined as abuse suffered in and among family members or with significant others. The violence encompasses several different forms which include physical battery where the abuser actually attacks the victim; sexual battery, unwanted or forced sexual activity; and psychological torment, where the abuser mentally harms the victim through verbal abuse, deprivation of financial or physical resources, emotional strongholds and/or the destruction of personal property.
Domestic violence can also be about control. Violence is an effective method for gaining and maintaining control over the victim.
Domestic violence transcends all socio-economic levels and communities. Most victims of domestic violence are women, and the abuser is typically male. The violence touches all ages and leaves physical and emotional scars for generations to come.
Child victims who may not be physically attacked themselves witness the abuse and violence, which leads to its own set of emotional circumstances.