By Tammy Gray-Searles
In observance of domestic violence awareness month, which continues throughout the month of Octo-ber, North Country Healthcare, along with Navajo County and other community agencies, held a candle-light vigil Oct. 14 at the historic Navajo County Courthouse in Holbrook.
Despite the chilly breeze, a modest crowd lit their candles and formed a symbolic line against domestic violence while observing a moment of silence in honor of local victims. A clothesline, filled with T-shirts decorated to honor survivors and victims of domestic violence was also strung across the courtyard.
Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon, one of the speakers at the event, noted that he considers stop-ping domestic violence a priority. His office, along with several other agencies and county departments, recently started a domestic violence court in Show Low. The special court is designed to deter first-time offenders and offer resources such as counseling to stop the cycle of violence before it begins.
The court in Show Low is part of a pilot program that will be expanded to other areas of the county if it is successful. Carlyon previously explained that the domestic violence court is associated with the justice court because he hopes to bring low-level and first-time offenders into the program to end the behavior before it escalates. He noted that Superior Court, despite offering a county-wide venue, handles more seri-ous crimes that he does not believe are appropriate for diversion programs like domestic violence court.
If all goes well, Holbrook could have a domestic violence court by early 2010.
Pediatrician Dr. Hannah Rishel also spoke during the event, encouraging victims of abuse to reach out for help, and for friends and family to assist victims in finding resources. She also encouraged parents who might be headed on a path toward domestic violence to seek help, such as counseling and parenting classes.
While it is estimated that less than half of all incidents are reported, across Arizona the number of deaths due to domestic violence appear to be steadily rising. In 2004, a total of 83 people died, and in 2005 that number increased to 95. The number continued to go up in 2006, with 107 killed, 125 in 2007 and 126 in 2008. According to the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence, there have been 86 domestic violence-related deaths in Arizona through Oct. 2, including women, children and men, both victims and abus-ers who died as a result of domestic violence.
The coalition also notes that the difficult economy may contribute to increased incidences of domestic violence. According to the coalition, the three main effects of the economy include the fact that victims may be more hesitant to leave the home or violent situation due to increased difficulty in finding a job or affording separate housing; domestic violence increases during times of stress, and stress is greatly increased by financial difficulties; and victims in shelters may have greater difficulty finding employment and becoming independent.
For more information on domestic violence victim resources, contact Marlene John at (928) 524-2851, ext. 231, or by email at mjohn@northcountryhealthcare.org. Other sources of information or assistance include Alice’s Place at (928) 289-2003 or toll free at 1-888-531-7233, and the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence at (602) 279-2900 or toll free at 1-800-782-6400. The coalition also has numerous re-sources listed on its Web site at www.azcadv.org. A nationwide toll-free domestic violence hotline is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Photo by Tammy Gray-SearlesNavajo County Victims Advocate Evelyn Marez and County Attorney Brad Carlyon were among the many resource groups for victims of domestic violence in attendance at a domestic violence awareness vigil held Oct. 14 at the historic courthouse in Holbrook. A clothesline filled with shirts decorated to honor and remember victims and survivors lined the courtyard in front of the courthouse.Photo by Tammy Gray-Searles
A candlelight vigil to raise awareness about domestic violence was held Oct. 14 in Holbrook. Participants lit candles and observed a moment of silence to honor victims. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
