Take Action Before Women Are Killed

We must each do our part to identify people who need our support and get them connected with the network of help available to them in their communities.

“The system failed her.”

Those words haunt many of us when we think of Dionne Hust’s children living in an abusive home and watching their mother die a violent death at the hand of her own husband. Instead of looking forward to the joys of the Christmas season, the Hust children are tormented with the horror of what they saw unfold during the early hours of Dec. 6.

Those of us who followed this sad story are left with some perplexing questions. How could anything so awful happen in Athol, Idaho - in such a nice neighborhood, nestled near a family theme park? What can be done to improve the support system so that we won’t have to read of yet another woman’s life ending in such an untimely and tragic way?

First, we need to realize that domestic violence can take place anywhere, in any neighborhood, and among people of any economic or educational level.

Evidently, the Husts’ neighbors were shocked to see a crime scene involving two violent deaths being investigated just outside their front windows. But police departments in our region acknowledge that a large percentage of calls they receive are related to family violence.

According to Jennifer Pearson Stapleton of Spokane County’s Domestic Violence Consortium, there is always something you can do for a victim of abuse.

There are five things, for example, that can be said to let the victim know support is available:

“I am afraid for your safety and life.”

“I am afraid for your children’s safety and lives.”

“It will only get worse.”

“You deserve better.”

“I will be there for you if and when you ever need me.”

These are lifesaving words you can offer as a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker, or as a church or family member. Also, it is crucial for the person offering support to be aware of available community resources and be ready to refer victims to them when it becomes necessary.

At this point, teamwork becomes imperative.

Two organizations exist in this region for the purpose of improving the coordination of services within an abuse victim’s community support system. In the Idaho Panhandle, there is the North Idaho Coalition Against Domestic Violence (208-769-4465). In Spokane, there is the Domestic Violence Consortium (509-487-6783). The consortium even offers community action kits free of charge to educate individuals and agencies on how they can interact and help.

The police and courts can only do what state and federal laws allow them to do. Family advocates and legislators are aware of this and are working on writing legislation to tighten existing regulations.

Until this happens, we must each do our part to identify people who need our support and get them connected with the network of help available to them in their communities.