Domestic abuse deaths: 4

A Thursday homicide in New Iberia represents the fourth time this year domestic violence has taken a life in Iberia Parish, according to SNAP.

Cherlyn Peters, 32, was shot to death in a New Iberia apartment, and her ex-boyfriend, Victor Hill, 27, is now being held in the Iberia Parish Correctional Center  in connection with the incident on charges of second-degree murder, armed robbery and being a felon in possession of a weapon. According to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Hill has an extensive criminal record.

Carol Mumm believes this incident underscores the ongoing need to address the issue of domestic abuse.

Mumm is executive director of Safety Net for Abused Persons Inc., a New Iberia-based agency. Established in 1983 as non-residential program for victims of domestic abuse, the SNAP opened its own shelter in 1991.

Mumm said that domestic abuse, which crosses all ethnic, racial and socioeconomic classes, is about power and control.

“Domestic abuse is a pattern of coercive behavior designed to exert power and control over a person in an intimate relationship through the use of intimidating, threatening, harmful or harassing behavior,” Mumm said. “Domestic abuse is not only physical, but sexual, verbal, emotional and psychological. This includes intimate relationships, such as spouse, former spouse, dating partners, co-habitants, and other family members such as children and brothers and sisters.”

Mumm said that the domestic violence situation in Louisiana tends to be worse than that of other states, with the state often occupying “the top spot” for the amount of domestic violence and related deaths which happen here.

“In addition to the four domestic abuse deaths in 2008, Iberia Parish lost one woman in 1989, three women in 2004, one woman in 2005, and one woman in 2007,” Mumm said. “In the years 2006 and 2007, Louisiana lost a total of 75 women to domestic violence deaths. Currently Louisiana ranks third in the nation as the most lethal state for women.”

Although domestic abuse is widely regarded a a crime committed by a man against a woman, Mumm said this is not always the case.

“Most recently there have been several arrests of women charged with domestic battery,” Mumm said. “An important misconception is that there has to be physical injury for an arrest. We are hopeful that under the new sheriff administration, in collaboration with SNAP, with continuing law enforcement training on domestic abuse, that victims of domestic abuse will receive the justice they deserve.”

Some indicators of domestic abuse include jealousy, putting one’s partner down and name calling, a person making decisions for their partner and isolating them from friends and family. Others include controlling or taking their money, pushing or shoving, threatening homicide or suicide if their partner leaves them, destroying property, abusing pets, and displaying weapons, according to SNAP.

“Without physical injuries, many victims do not consider themselves to be battered women,” Mumm said. “However, physical abuse usually begins with emotional and verbal abuse. Many batterers can maintain control, through intimidation and threats, without use of physical violence. Many women are ashamed and are told by the abuser, ‘If they would change this would not happen to them.’ They begin to believe that it is their fault and try to ‘change’ to please their partners. The ‘change’ is never good enough and batterers will usually never accept responsibility for their actions.”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office regards the prevention of domestic violence as a top priority.

“The Attorney General’s Office is available to assist not only law enforcement personnel but the business community as well to address the problem of domestic violence,” said Jennifer Cluck, spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office. “Our domestic violence coordinator travels across the state educating law enforcement on investigation techniques when dealing with domestic violence situations and also trains the business community on how to recognize the signs of domestic violence and the impact domestic violence has on the workplace.”

If you or someone you know is at risk for domestic violence you are encouraged to contact SNAP at 367-SNAP or 276-7071. All calls to SNAP are confidential and its services are free.