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RURAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES DISCUSSED AT WORKSHOP FOR PROSECUTORS
MEMPHIS, TN – July 9, 2001 – Domestic violence plagues America from metropolitan areas, to suburbs, to tranquil farms and other rural areas. It is not confined by geography, nor is it confined to a particular race, religion, or class. It is an equal opportunity problem. Like a serious illness it must be treated before it kills. The American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI), a component of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), is holding a workshop for prosecutors, in conjunction with the Battered Women’s Justice Project, in Memphis, TN, at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, on July 12 – 14, to address issues related to this prevalent problem.
William L. Gibbons, District Attorney General, 30th District, in Memphis will provide the opening remarks on July 12. “Last year in Memphis, we handled almost 5,000 new domestic violence cases. That’s an average of about 16 new domestic violence cases per day. In about 80 percent of domestic violence incidents, children witness the abuse. In many cases, children are abused as well. Many of these children grow up to be victims or abusers themselves. Prosecutors must be committee to treating domestic violence as the violent crime that it is,” Gibbons said.
One of the most difficult aspects of domestic violence cases is that victims are rarely willing and/or able to assist in the prosecution of the perpetrator. Therefore, prosecutors must focus on evidence-based prosecution – as opposed to victim-based. Trainers, who are experienced prosecutors in the area of domestic violence, teach state and local prosecutors to build their cases as though the victim will not testify. Additionally, rural domestic violence presents its own unique challenges that are exacerbated because of the isolation of the victim and lack of resources to prosecute.
Among the topics to be discussed are: strangulation, stalking, understanding the victim’s behavior and experiences, assessing the threat and possible lethal consequences, learning how to conduct evidenced-based prosecution and domestic violence motion practice, use of expert witnesses, conducting direct and cross examinations, and dealing with the lack of shelters and treatment facilities.
Upon completion of this workshop the prosecutors in attendance are empowered, educated and significantly more qualified to effectively prosecute these extremely challenging cases.
APRI is the research, training and technical assistance affiliate of the NDAA. NDAA, with approximately 7,000 members, represents the interests of over 30,000 local prosecutors in 2,700 jurisdictions across America -- who prosecute more than 95% of the nation’s criminal cases.
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