Pueblo, We Have a Problem:

1. Pueblo, We Have a Problem: Domestic Violence Epidemic

2. Six different people • Connie Rangel, age 46, County/Blende mother or four • Gisela Strait, age 39, Eastside, three children • Shannon White-Yowell, age 36, University Park, one child • Regina Sanchez, 43, Eastside, mother of two • Yvonne Padilla, age 46, Downtown/Eastside married 20 years, three children • Amanda Petek, age 19, Southside, five months pregnant

3. What they have in common: • Connie Rangel and friend, killed by estranged husband (2001) • Gisela Strait, killed by husband (2002) • Shannon White-Yowell, murder-suicide by husband (2003) • Regina Sanchez, murder-suicide by husband (2003) • Yvonne Padilla, died from gunshot to the head, shot by husband who later committed suicide in jail (2004) • Amanda Petek, murder-suicide by husband (2004)

4. Domestic Violence Homicides in Pueblo • 34 domestic violence homicides between 1990 and 2004 • Average of 2 to 3 per year • In the first half of 2005, 5 homicides, both male and female, appear to be linked to domestic violence

5. Domestic Violence: • Directed at someone with whom there has been an intimate relationship • Act or threatened act of violence upon a person or property • Used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation or revenge

6. It’s Not Just Homicides • Homicides get our attention, but are less than 1% of domestic violence cases per year • Homicides are seldom the first instance of violence in the home – usually builds for years • Domestic violence often not limited to one victim – abusers bring the same behavior to multiple relationships

7. Pueblo & Domestic Violence • Very high incidence – conservatively 50% more than national averages • Average of 1,500 cases per year reported to the DA’s Office – one incident for every 100 people in Pueblo • 1,000 cases per year with enough evidence to prosecute – 1 incident per every 150 people • National rate: 1 incident for every 256 people

8. Pueblo & Domestic Violence Fairly steady at 1,500 cases per year brought to the District Attorney

9. Pueblo & Domestic Violence Increasing intensity, with a shift toward criminal cases.

10. Pueblo & Domestic Violence In the first half of 2005: • The YWCA served: • 73 women and 55 children in their shelter • 1,240 phone calls for assistance • 375 adults and 122 children needing counseling • ACOVA served just over 900 victims of domestic abuse; more than 60% of ACOVA’s calls involve domestic violence. • FAST TRACK court program processed 261 misdemeanor, mostly first offense cases – a continuous influx of new abuse.

11. Impact on the Community

12. Impact on the Community Children are often the silent victims of domestic violence • In homes where partner abuse occurs, children are 1,500 times more likely to be abused • 40-60% of men who abuse women also abuse children • Fathers who abuse mothers are twice as likely to seek sole custody • Boys who observe domestic violence are 50% more likely to abuse when they become adults

13. What can we do? We need to utilize and support existing structures to combat domestic violence • Mandatory arrest, vigorous prosecution • FAST TRACK court system • Shelter, counseling for women & children in danger • Victim’s advocates • Collaboration among agencies: Domestic Violence Task Force

14. What can we do? Make a community-wide commitment not to tolerate domestic violence • Starts with awareness of the problem • Has to move beyond that to a cultural shift • Leads to action

15. There’s a Role for Everyone • Family • Friends • Neighbors • Schools • Employers/Co-workers • Churches and clergy • Agencies • Law enforcement, criminal justice system • Legislators

16. Some First Steps: Attend the Community Forum September 15, 6:30, Pueblo County Conference Room, on Santa Fe between 10th and 11th Streets. Join the DV Task Force, and/or support it by attending the Ghost Walk fundraiser Participate in the YWCA’s Candle Lighting/ National Week Without Violence, October 17 Participate in ACOVA’s Empty Chair campaign