DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS DEADLY

Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, child abuse or intimate partner violence, can be broadly defined a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, friends or cohabitation. Domestic violence has many forms including physical aggression (hitting, kicking, biting, shoving, restraining, throwing objects), or threats thereof; sexual abuse; emotional abuse; controlling or domineering; intimidation; stalking; passive/covert abuse (e.g., neglect); and economic deprivation. Domestic violence may or may not constitute a crime, depending on local statues, severity and duration of specific acts, and other variables.

At half 1 in the morn, the coppers were knocking on my flat door asking for help. They had received calls about possible 'domestic violence' in one of the flats. I went to the office to fetch a key for the coppers to the flat, as the folks living there refused to respond to the knocking of the coppers at thier door. Shocked I was to discover that keys did not work and could not get the door open.

The small children in the flat could be seen, but they were not allowed to open the door for the coppers. The adults inside, knowing the game, refused to answer the door to the coppers. This is a long running situation at the Linda Villa and has no easy answers to. The coppers are called, noise has died down, and the adults refuse to answer the door, knowing that the coppers will leave, yet again.

The mum of the 3 children is well known to this old geezer. It was she who came to me and begged for help in the past with the troubles in her home. She was afraid, very afraid. Tried to get her to take out court order baring the husband from the flat, she refused to do. Chap comes back and the cycle of violence continues.

I have learned that domestic violence is very serious business. It should never be ignored. The lovley folks at the Linda Villa who have joined with in forming Neighbourhood Watch are doing their duty, ringing up the coppers when they hear the fights. Everyone is concerned.

Having made several calls to the coppers, I know that the Yuba County Sheriffs take this matter very serious as well. They have told the mum what she must do to get help. They keep coming out to try and solve the problem. Problem is that there is but so much that the coppers can legally do. Not knowing the true nature of the violence, and the adults refusing to answer the door, hinders the level of help that can be given. Add in the fact that the poor children refuse to answer the door, and you can see how complicated this situation is.

My dears, I know full well the horror that comes from domestic violence. Saw two go at one another in a different complex and had it not been for action by the coppers, one or both would have been dead. The level of hate was so thick, and the desire to harm was massive. Broken windows, dishes and furniture were what left in wake of the violence. Thankfully, the troubles had spilled outside of flat and it became a situation not requiring a knock at the door. Have no doubts that someone would eventually die if the pair continued to live together.

There was a situation in Fresno some time back, a 'boy friend' of a mum with children, stomped a wee child to death. Neighbours had tired of calling to report the violence and CPS failed to see the very real threat to the child in this family. Having read the police report and seen the snaps of the wee lad, made a promise that nothing like that would ever happen here. NEVER.

Let me be quite clear. The Yuba County Sheriffs are trying to do all they can. Neighbours are ringing up and reporting. The chap is on probation for this sort of thing. The lady will not do what has to be done to solve the problem. It might be time to tell this family to find another place to live. I will have to check into that.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS SERIOUS BUSINESS. So serious that any who know if it happening should do the right thing and report it. How could anyone live with selves if they know they heard a murder happen. Saw wee little one come out in body bags? That may sound over the top to some but it is very true.

I will always remember the smiling face of Seth Thomas, a wee lad, now DEAD.