Domestic violence to be tackled

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

In 2004, there were five murders in St. Mary’s, with all of them related to domestic violence, according to Capt. Kenneth Cusic with the sheriff’s office.

Last week, the county commissioners signed a resolution to establish a family violence coordinating council, and members are being chosen.

Kathleen O’Brien, who chaired a domestic violence task force, told the commissioners the new council would be the ‘‘first line of defense against violence to women and children.” The council will develop and implement an integrated data collection and management information system related to domestic violence.

Another goal is to monitor, evaluate and promote the quality and effectiveness of services and protections in the community. In addition, the council should serve as a clearinghouse for information on domestic violence and sexual assault issues.

The lead agencies in the council are Walden⁄Sierra, Three Oaks Center, Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy, St. Mary’s Hospital, the sheriff’s office and the Maryland State Police.

‘‘I know it’s not easy to get ’em all to the table,” said Commission President Thomas F. McKay (R).

There will be advantage to having the new perspectives from each group, O’Brien said.

As reported in February to the commissioners, the weaknesses of the efforts to stem domestic violence in St. Mary’s County are the ‘‘poor coordination of services, no data coordinator, lack of shelter, lack of multidisciplinary training, limited community education⁄public awareness of domestic violence or resources and confusion regarding access to services.”

A strength that was noted, though, was the abundance of resources for victims.

E-mail Jason Babcock at jbabcock@somdnews.com.