(Editor’s Note: This begins a two-part series concerning violence against women. The information was compiled by members of the Austin chapter of Zonta International as a public service during the organization’s “16 Days of Violence Against Women” awareness effort ending Wednesday. Today’s installment includes the personal perspectives of victim’s advocate Tori Miller and Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi.)

Reporting process

By TERESE AMAZI

Mower County Sheriff

The “miracle” 9-1-1 call is made of a domestic assault.

Many of these calls are never made because the woman has been drinking, believes she deserves it, knows the abuser will be arrested, brought to jail and may lose his job.

It is compounded when there are children involved.

The abused tells the 9-1-1 operator that there has been a domestic assault at her residence. The officers are sent. Usually we send two officers.

The couple tells their versions of what occurred. Usually, the female’s version, supported with various injuries, (evidence) varies greatly from the abuser’s.

These statements are tape-recorded for evidence.

Photographs are taken of the injuries.

The suspected abuser is arrested, searched, cuffed and given a ride to the Mower County jail awaiting court.

He may be held for 36 hours unless an extension is done; then he may be held for an additional amount of time.

The victim is given a Crime Victims Resource Center card and advised how to obtain an order for protection (OFP).

Many times, she is waiting for him in court, she speaks to the county attorney to get the charges dropped.

If she is not waiting in court, she may get an OFP. It may get served upon him prior to his release from jail.

Police will escort him to their residence to remove personal affects only. He is then not to have any more contact with the victim.

Many times, we get the court dismissal of the OFP. They want to work out their differences. This occurs very frequently.

We, as law enforcement, hope she survives their differences.

We have served the same individual three separate OFPs for the same victim.

Those do not happen very often.

Many times the abuser must cross the “magic” line to get the woman to follow through with charges to the conviction.

Every victim is different in their non-tolerated line. We, as law enforcement, hope she survives to her “magic line.”

As he gets arrested and convicted with the assault on the same victim, the crime penalty goes from misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor to a felony.

We, as law enforcement, hope she survives to the felony level, when the judge will take corrective measures.

Domestic violence is a growing problem. I believe it may be reported more often today, but I also believe there are more abusers out there.

Unfortunately, the abused must follow through with charges to ensure a conviction. That is how the criminal justice system works.

Helping victims of crime

By TORI MILLER,

Director, Crime Victims Resource Center

Any person, regardless of age, gender,or life circumstances can be a victim of crime.

The Crime Victims Resource Center (CVRC) is here to serve you and those close to you with support and options.

Growth and recovery are encouraged by caring and skilled individuals in a non-judgmental setting.

The Crime Victims Resource Center (formerly known as Victims Crisis Center) was established in 1977 as one of the first mandated victim crisis centers in the state of Minnesota. In 1985 the CVRC became part of Austin Medical Center-Mayo Health System (AMC).

The CVRC is a grant funded program receiving state and federal funds through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. In addition to these funds, CVRC also receives United Way funding, donations from various churches, individuals, civic organizations and in-kind assistance from AMC.

Some of the different crime areas that CVRC provides assistance with include assault, burglary, child abuse, domestic assault/abuse, sexual assault/abuse, stalking, terroristic threats, harassment and other crimes.

Services offered include a 24-hour crisis hotline, crisis counseling, safety planning, emergency shelter in relation to victimization, educational and support groups, referrals, support during hospital examinations, support during police reporting, assistance with Orders for Protection and Harassment Restraining Orders, court advocacy and notification of victim rights.

All services are free and confidential.

CVRC also provides sexual abuse prevention education to all second graders in Mower County with project T.R.U.S.T. (Teaching and Reaching Using Students and Theater). The play is called “TOUCH” and is performed by students attending high school in Austin.

The play teaches children about good/appropriate touch and bad/inappropriate touch as well as personal body safety. Each year approximately 400 second-graders receive this education.

CVRC has been providing this prevention project for 10 years.

This past year CVRC assisted more than 500 victims of crime in Mower County including 34 victims of sexual assault/abuse, 241 victims of domestic violence, and 225 victims of other crimes such as harassment, stalking, assault, and other crimes.

CVRC also needs volunteers to assist with its 24-hour hotline. CVRC depends upon community members to provide the best care possible to each and every person in need. Each volunteer receives specialized training to assist them in responding to victims.

Anyone interested in learning more about the volunteer program may call CVRC at 437-6680 or (800) 349-6680.