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Coalition forms to combat domestic violence

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By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer Updated 11:35 AM Monday, November 30, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Six months into their relationship, a man she thought was perfect began screaming at her, smacking her and punching her regularly.

A month before their planned wedding date, the man beat and raped her for two hours.

She was hospitalized and convinced to press charges that resulted in the man being sentenced to a year in prison.

“A nurse at the hospital soothed my fears. And an officer there said once the abuse gets to its peak they kill you. That clicked in my head,” said Jen, who asked not to be fully identified. “I knew if ... I went halfway and he got out of jail, I wouldn’t be breathing.”

Police responded to 339 domestic violence cases in 2008 in Middletown. That’s why YWCA Dove House Middletown officials are launching the Middletown Domestic Violence Coalition in January.

The coalition will include police, hospital and social service officials in the area who meet monthly to discuss domestic violence cases and how to better work together and serve victims.

“They need to know where we’re coming from, and we need to know where they’re coming from,” said Melissa Kennard, manager of Dove House, a shelter for battered women and their children.

Fran Reese, domestic violence program director, said Dove House Hamilton has had a domestic violence coalition for years. The effort has improved the response to victims seeking help from police, hospitals or other agencies, she said.

“Sometimes the system works against the victim,” Reese said. “If they can’t get help ... it leads to them going back to their perpetrator.’’

The system worked for the most part in Jen’s case, she said. She’s happy she’s now living with her children in a safe place and urges other abused women to seek help, too.

“Don’t believe that ... he’s going to get better,” she said. “It gets easier for them every time they hit you.”