Mattingly Details Domestic Violence Policy
VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
AND
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICY
Domestic violence is a serious problem across Maryland and in St. Mary’s County. There are over 15,000 reported domestic assaults reported in Maryland each year. St. Mary’s County alone averages over 600 domestic assaults each year, nearly all involve some type of alcohol or drug abuse.
As your State’s Attorney, I will emphasize the just disposition of all cases involving domestic violence. To that end, I promise that my office will do the following:
- Ensure that victims of domestic violence know that they have a strong protector and advocate in the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney Office;
- Keep victims of domestic violence informed of the progress of their case at each and every step;
- Evaluate investigative strategies and office policies to guarantee the fair administration of justice in these important cases;
- Reach out to appropriate government agencies, therapists, counselors, faith-based groups and other community resources to build a comprehensive plan on how to prevent domestic violence and deal with the consequences of those affected by domestic violence.
My office will also work with those who wish to repair the damage done to their families by domestic violence. I will consider alternatives to jailing those committing domestic violence if, and only if, the following occurs:
- The victim wishes to work with the abuser in repairing the family unit;
- Both the victim and abuser pass a strenuous screening process to ensure that the victim has not been unduly pressured into agreeing to an alternative to jail;
- The abuser agrees to attend and complete all recommended drug/alcohol treatment, as well as a mandatory Abuse Prevention Program;
- The abuser has no prior convictions for domestic assault.
This renewed commitment to addressing domestic violence by providing protection to victims and offering the abuser the tools to change their habits and behavior, will help reduce domestic violence in St. Mary’s County. Moreover, it will help struggling families survive and thrive.
Approved by Susan M. Smith, Treasurer, Committee to Elect Shane Mattingly.
The victim too often wants to help her abuser avoid the jail sentence. It is part of the cycle of abuse that the abuser has this power over the victim to intimidate or to have the victim feel responsible for her own abuse. Once the abuser has been identified with appropriate evidence, he should spend some time in jail, regardless of the wishes of the abused. There is too often, not enough incentive for the abuser to not repeat the behavior. Jail is a deterrent, but not fool proof, either. Abusive behavior is hard to break, once the cycle has begun. Empathy for the victim plays no part in the healing process, as suffering on the part of the victim is the entire point of the abuse. Power over is the point for the abuser. How to unravel and undo this behavior is the question. A society imbued with the ethos of constant war and militarized police does nothing to help this mind set but exacerbates it. It is possible that public service where the abuser is required to share himself in a giving nurturing way, might encourage the empathetic tendencies. Experiencing the positive feedback of giving and sharing might help the abuser see the rewards in changing his behavior.