Killed for Love

Post #33

This year, I am again privileged to be part of a community theatre production of “Oliver!,” a wonderful musical with great songs and a heart-warming ending when an orphan is reunited with his grandfather.

Unfortunately, one of the story lines deals with domestic violence.  The heroine, Nancy, keeps returning to the man she loves, Bill Sykes.  At various times throughout the play, Sykes shoves her, slaps her, bullies her, and threatens her.  Despite that, she refuses an offer of protection and returns to her abusive boyfriend.  In the final scene of the play, Bill murders Nancy as she is trying to help Oliver.

Sadly, this fictional story is played out all around the world every day.  According to the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (www.mnadv.org), 75 Marylanders were murdered as a result of domestic violence between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. Five of those were Montgomery County residents.  The Montgomery County Police received 234 reports of domestic violence in 2007.  The agency’s year-end report also indicated that, “Of the 19 homicide cases in 2007, 12… were directly related to domestic situations.”

In America, a woman is abused every 15 seconds, according to the FBI--a shocking statistic that demands our attention.   Our police are well-trained in handling domestic disputes, and Montgomery County  government and various nonprofit organizations partner to  provide shelters that house women (often with their children) who are fleeing abusive homes.

In times of economic crisis, the incidence of domestic violence rises along with increased use of drugs and alcohol.  We need stronger legal protections for victims as well as more diligent enforcement of existing laws.  Each of us must be even more vigilant and more protective of our friends, family members, and neighbors.   Together, we can work to work to prevent violence, reduce its impact in our communities and reach out to women who need our help

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Do you know someone who has been physically or emotionally abused by a partner or spouse?  How have you tried to help?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#33) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.