JOINT PRESS STATEMENT
Statement by Jan Sommer, Executive Director of Harvey County DV/SA Task Force and Sandy Barnett, Executive Director of KCSDV
In response to weekend shooting of two law enforcement officers who were responding to a domestic violence call in Newton, Kan.
Contact: Laurie Harrison 785.232.9784 (office), 785.633.9703 (cell), or lharrison@kcsdv.org
April 12, 2005 - "We express our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and community of Kurt Ford. We are saddened by the circumstances that led Greg Moore to shoot and kill the Harvey County Deputy, as well as to injure Hesston Detective Chris Eilert. We acknowledge the sacrifices these law enforcement officers made and recognize the dangers facing law enforcement officers when they respond to domestic abuse calls. Any situation in which domestic violence becomes deadly is a tragedy for us all," said Jan Sommer, Executive Director of Harvey County DV/SA Task Force.
This case demonstrates the danger involved in a woman leaving an abuser. Authorities stated that the situation escalated only after the woman indicated she wanted to leave. Though it may seem counter-intuitive, staying with an abuser may be a safety tactic for the battered woman and research indicates that violence escalates sharply when she attempts to leave, separate, divorce, or otherwise protect herself.
This case also demonstrates that law enforcement and other first responders can also be victims of domestic violence. The effects of domestic violence are far-reaching. "Domestic violence results in the deaths of not only the abused woman but also loved ones, family members, bystanders, helping professionals, and first responders," said Sandy Barnett, Executive Director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence.
"This domestic violence-related death is a great tragedy. We stand with Newton in mourning the loss of a valued community member," said Barnett.
Help is available for victims. We urge all Kansans to remember that if they hear or see someone being hurt to call 911 immediately. If you or someone you know needs support, contact the Harvey County DV/SA Task Force crisis hotline at 800-487-0510 (Harvey County) or the Kansas Crisis Hotline 1-888-END ABUSE (1-888-363-2287). For a list of domestic violence programs in Kansas, visit www.kcsdv.org/ksresources.html or call 785-232-9784.
Harvey County DV/SA Task Force provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Its service area is Harvey County. The Task Force is a member of KCSDV, a statewide network of 30 domestic violence and/or sexual assault advocacy programs. KCSDV's member programs provide support and safety to the victims of domestic and sexual violence and stalking through direct services.
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