By Pat Lawrence
l to r: Angela Duranti, Diana Williams and Ginny Conley. |
West Virginia has more than it’s share of crimes affecting
women, but resources to combat domestic violence, sexual assault and
child molestation are being expanded, reinforced and utilized more
fully every day. Ginny Conley, Wood County Prosecuting Attorney,
says the numbers keep rising, but she is heartened by the increasingly
constructive response of the public, law enforcement and the criminal
justice system.
“Public awareness of domestic violence is very high. Law enforcement
has made great strides in establishing better training, understanding
and handling of domestic violence. Laws have changed to allow
more ways for them to respond and more options and resources to offer
victims. Now the police, rather than the victim, make the decision
to prosecute. It reduces the threat to the victim. ”
Ginny says her office responds to domestic violence in many ways,
depending on the crime and circumstances. “Petitions are filed
to get services, like counseling, funding or parenting classes, into
the home. Then counselors and caseworkers can monitor the situation. The
situation may call for court intervention or removal of a child to
another family member or a foster home.”
Angela Duranti, the Assistant Proscuting Attorney, handles only domestic
violence and sexual assault. In the past year there were over
600 domestic violence cases in Wood County. Angela’s position,
federally funded through the state, is evidence of the focus on addressing
the problem. She says women in potentially explosive situations
should have a safety plan. “Have a bag packed, know where
you will stay. Keep a copy of important documents with a friend. Women
sometimes leave several times before they are able to leave completely.”
In their experience and from their perspective, for Ginny and Angela,
a successful resolution is when the woman gets out.
According to Ginny, the prosecuting attorney’s office has an
array of legal approaches to help women and children experiencing
domestic violence. “We look for the best way to go forward for
the victim. Supervised probation may be the best way to monitor
what he is doing to her. We ask what she wants to happen - jail, counseling,
family crisis services, AA, substance abuse help. He may be looking
at a year in jail and fines. We may offer sentencing incentives, less
jail time if he attends anger management classes or recommend work
release, or weekend jail, so there’s no loss of income. With
a plea, no one has to testify.”
With recurring domestic violence, the prosecuting attorney may issue
a felony charge of neglect and the child is removed from the home.
Wood County has a full time Victim Advocate, Diana Williams, who
works closely with domestic violence victims and rape victims. She
remains on call for rape victims, meeting them at the hospital, staying
with them for the medical exam and any interviews and arranging free
counseling later. She says, “If a woman is raped, she should
call 911 and report it. Then, go to the hospital. The police
can meet her there.” St. Joseph’s Hospital has specially
trained, board certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners to perform
the initial exam and advise the woman about her medical condition. Camden
Clark is in the process of developing a similar response team.
Diana, the victim’s liaison and friend through the court process
for any crime, knows how difficult the process can be for victims.
“There are a lot of services available and we have worked very
hard to put them in place. But, it only works if the victim has the
patience and fortitude to let the system help.”
They say boyfriends are the most common offender in child sexual
assault. Diana says, “Women trust men they don’t
know to be alone with their children for long hours. These predators
look for women who work and let them stay home with the kids.”
They all like protective orders, issued by civil court and effective
all across the country. There were 440 local protective orders filed
this year. “But”, Ginny says, “If he gets within
100 yards of her work, home or children’s school or tries to
send messages by a third party, he has violated the order. Then it’s
a criminal case. And, that ,” she adds with determination,“means
mandatory jail and $250-$2500 in fines.” A woman with a
protective order should carry a certified copy when she travels and
have one on record at her children’s school.
The have all seen domestic violence in every socio-economic level,
though women of position and means handle it differently, Diana says.
“They take the abuse much longer. They have so much to lose.”
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