Our business
To the Editor:
As he was leaving the Wisconsin State Fair on Saturday night, Aug. 15, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett did the right thing. Instead of ignoring a woman’s cries for help in what appeared to be a domestic abuse situation, he intervened. His actions possibly saved a life. Police records indicate the perpetrator had been arrested in the past for fights with his ex-girlfriend.
Many, faced with a similar situation, would have thought, “It is not my business,” and continued walking to their car. Unfortunately, because many believe domestic violence is a private affair, perpetrators continue to terrorize, injure and kill their partners, their children and others.
A relative of the man who attacked Mayor Barrett was interviewed by a Milwaukee television station. While she expressed concern for the mayor, she did what the family and friends of perpetrators often do, placed blame for the incident on someone other than the perpetrator. Referring to the ex-girlfriend, the relative said, “If she would have just stuck to her word of letting him see the baby, then this whole situation wouldn’t have transpired.”
Clearly, the perpetrator had other choices than threatening to shoot his child, her grandmother and himself, which led to the woman’s cries for help and ultimately, the attack on Mayor Barrett.
We commend Mayor Barrett for setting an example for others. Domestic violence is everybody’s business! This crime has immediate and long-term impact on the lives of adults and children. Most often, physical injuries heal without lasting effect. Psychic scars do not heal quickly and may result in mental and physical health problems, substance abuse, relationship problems and anti-social behavior.
While the human costs of domestic violence are tremendous, the community too pays a price. The cost to the community is not just societal impact caused by the crime itself. Anti-social behaviors, which are a result of victimization, impact the safety and well-being of the community as a whole. The community also pays financially in lost work time, increased health care costs, and the tax dollars spent for law enforcement, courts, corrections, and social services to address the immediate and long-term impact of these crimes.
Everyone pays, so it is everybody’s business. Next time you see what seems to be a domestic abuse situation, yell at the perpetrator to stop and call 911; next time you hear your neighbors fighting, knock on their door and ask, “What’s happening?” and/or call 911 so the police will knock on their door and ask “what’s happening?”
You are not being rude. It is your business. We, as a community, need to make it our business
Sheboygan County Coalition Against Domestic Violence
and Sexual Assault
If you are interested in learning more about the coalition’s work or want to join us in our efforts, please contact Mary Fontanazza at Safe Harbor, ((920) 452-8611, ext. 304.
The following have given their approval to being included in this letter:
Associated Psychological Health Services; Attorney Lucinda M. Vette; Elkhart Lake Police Department; Family Resource Center; Family Service Association; Foster Grandparents; Kohler Police Department; Mental Health America- Sheboygan; Plymouth Police Department; Safe Harbor; St. Nicholas Hospital; Sheboygan Police Department; Sheboygan County Child Protective Services; Sheboygan County District Attorney; Sheboygan County Head Start; Sheboygan County Humane Society; Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department; Sheboygan County Victim Witness Services; Sheboygan Falls Police Department; Sheboygan Plymouth Area United Way
