During a thirty day span between November and December, domestic violence resulted in eighteen deaths in the state of Oregon, including children. The killers all committed suicide when they were through.
Oregon is appointing a special domestic violence prosecutor and working to improve statewide services in domestic violence situations.
Government commentators made the following observations after this run of violence.
- Shelters and related services are not adequately funded relative to need
- Child welfare agencies must work in conjunction with domestic violence services providers
- Domestic violence carries over into victims’ workplaces and
- Abusers’ access to guns is lethal
It is hoped that these insights will translate into more effective strategies and better outcomes.
Read more in this [Portland, OR] Oregonian editorial: Domestic violence murders: Community and victims cry out for solutions.
