Rainbow House Announces Regional Lethality Assessment Program

Mar 1, 2017 | Domestic Violence News

Rainbow House Announces Regional Lethality Assessment Program

 

Rainbow House is working with all eleven law enforcement agencies throughout Marinette and Oconto Counties on the implementation of the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), a Maryland research-based model on preventing domestic violence homicide. “I am impressed with each Sheriff Office and Police Department in Oconto and Marinette County for implementing this new policy.  From training of all Deputies, Officers and Rainbow House staff on the LAP, we are better prepared to respond to Domestic Violence Incidents and provided safety and resources immediately.  I look forward to working closely with Law Enforcement to continue to improve our working collaboration and services to victims and their families,” says Jessica Honish, Lead Advocate at Rainbow House.

 

Beginning February 27th, LAP will be used at the scene of all domestic violence-related calls to assess the risk inherent in each victim’s situation. Officers will ask victims a series of set questions to determine if they are at heightened risk of injury or great bodily harm. Victims in potentially lethal situations will be placed by law enforcement in immediate contact with the crisis line at Rainbow House to begin safety planning. High danger cases are those in which victims in similar circumstances have been statistically demonstrated to be at risk of being killed by their abusive partner. This program is being implemented to identify those potentially at greatest risk and connect them with life saving services. Only 4% of abused victims had used a domestic violence hotline or shelter within the year prior to being killed by an intimate partner. Yet in the year prior to the homicide, more than 44% of abusers were arrested, and almost one-third of victims contacted the police*. “The gap is where the opportunity for prevention lies. What we can predict, we can prevent,” indicates Courtney Olson. According to her research, almost 90 Wisconsin residents lost their lives to domestic violence homicide in 2016, the highest year on record. For further information see, www.domesticviolencehomicidehelp.com, a program of the Rainbow House. For immediate assistance for yourself or someone you know, call Rainbow House at 715-735-6656.

 

*Sharps, P. W., et al. (2001). Health care providers’ missed opportunities for preventing femicide. Preventive Medicine 33, 373-80.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Intersection of Firearms and Domestic Violence

Dec 16, 2016 | Domestic Violence News

For an interesting discussion just released by the U.S. Department of Justice,

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/blog/firearms-and-domestic-violence-intersections

Domestic abusers and firearms are a deadly combination.  Research published in the American Journal of Public Health found that the presence of a gun in domestic violence situations significantly increases the risk of homicide, endangering victims, other family members, bystanders and coworkers.  Professionals who work in law enforcement and advocacy have found that to reduce domestic violence homicide, the criminal justice system must consistently enforce existing laws and coordinate closely with community organizations.

On October  7, 2016, the Justice Department hosted a panel of experts, including scholars and practitioners, to discuss this potentially deadly intersection.   Watch a video of the discussion.

Highlights:

In the United States, when women are murdered, 40 to 50 percent are killed by their husband, boyfriend or ex-partner.  That’s nine times the rate killed by strangers.  In comparison, 5 to 8 percent of men are killed by their partner.

When laws are in place that restrict abusers from purchasing guns, there is an associated decrease in intimate partner murders.  Depending on the source of the data (whether the data come from the state or from large cities within the state), the decrease ranges from 7 to 19 percent.    The data refute the hypothesis that abusers who want to kill will simply use another weapon if they don’t have a gun.  In fact, guns make it more likely that a death will result.

Hope Bracelets

Nov 22, 2016 | Domestic Violence News

hopehope-bracelet

The Hope Domestic Violence Homicide Help Project is offering these handmade bracelets.  Each one has a silver Hope infinity charm, with a purple suede band.  The band is adjustable from 6″ to 8″.  Please show your support for our project with this $20 purchase.  Orders can made locally by visiting the shelter, or by mailing a check to:

Hope Domestic Homicide Help Project

P.O. Box 1172

Marinette, WI  54143

If you prefer to pay online, you may do so through our link:

http://therainbowhouse.us/donate-today/