Brandon Twp.- The number of domestic violence incidents being reported is on the rise in Oakland County and in the township, say local officials.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 24 incidents of domestic violence in Brandon Township in 2006, and through July of this year had already responded to 22 calls of domestic violence, defined by police as physical assault between intimate partners. These calls did not include incidents that involved weapons.
Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Gorcyca, who is also chief of the domestic violence unit, says she was watched the number of domestic violence cases rise during the 15 years she has been a prosecutor.
‘There are a number of factors why,? says Gorcyca. ‘People are taking a stand against domestic violence now and saying, ‘Enough is enough. We’re not going to let our sisters, our daughters, our friends, be abused anymore.? Third parties are stepping in and encouraging victims to get help, whether they report it or not.?
‘It doesn’t get reported all the time,? notes Sgt. Mike Searing of the Brandon substation. ‘With the (poor) economy, it seems to get worse… It’s still one of the most hazardous calls we go to because of the passion and emotions involved.?
Several years ago, changes were made to domestic violence laws that now enable police to be witnesses and to make an arrest regardless of whether the abused person wants to file charges against their abuser.
Searing notes that sometimes women are reluctant to follow through with legal action against an abusive partner, saying they love him or they don’t want him to get in trouble. Other times, it is out of fear.
That fear may be well-placed. Gorcyca is currently working on the Edward Stenberg case. Stenberg is the Waterford man who allegedly fatally shot his wife Laura in September. He was on parole for a 2005 assault conviction, resulting from an incident in which he had beaten her with a blackjack.
Gorcyca notes that many murder cases her office has handled have occurred when abused women are breaking up with the batterer or divorcing him.
‘It’s a hard choice to have to make as a victim,? says Gorcyca. ‘We encourage victims to reach out to HAVEN and counselors. Info is power. Just because they report abuse doesn’t mean the batterer is going to jail or prison? probation and counseling are options. Our goal is that the victim is safe and the abuse ends. We tell victims, this won’t be the last time. If they stay, in a couple months or years, we will see them again. We encourage family, friends, coworkers to help the victim so there is not another fatality.?
Searing notes that there are subtle indicators that a man may be a potential abuser. He suggests women watch how a man treats his mother, or people in the service industry. He also advises people to watch their friends and daughters to see who they are getting into relationships with.
Searing said protection for victims has improved, with the changes in the law and the advent of personal protection orders.
‘Getting out isn’t easy,? he said. ‘The decision has to be made on the victim’s part that there is a better life and she has to want it. They have to know there is hope.?