Domestic Violence Awareness

Domestic Violence is one of the most rapid growing crimes we face in the state of Missouri.  Missouri was ranked at number 7 in the nation for the crime of domestic violence just 2 years ago. Last year, 2020, Domestic Violence Homicide increased by 34% according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report (showmecrime.com). These numbers should be very alarming to all citizens of the state of Missouri. Yet we do not have laws sufficient to hold domestic violence offenders accountable, or enough prosecutors willing to prosecute them. We have no laws against convicted (misdemeanor) domestic violence offenders possessing firearms in the state of Missouri. 

This is not acceptable! Every home should be a house filled with love! Not a house of horrors, fear, and violence! 

Domestic Violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used against the victim to gain or maintain control over them through coercion, threats, or physical violence. 

Domestic Violence is a crime of choice. It’s all about control and has nothing to do with “LOVE”.  It’s not about bad tempers or lack of self-control. Domestic Violence perpetrators choose who they abuse. Most often they are respected citizens in the community. They do not display violence in public, at work, or around their friends. They often view their victims as property and they are the owner. If their “property” doesn’t suit them they can do with it as they please. Or if their “property” escapes or leaves then they will do everything in their power to regain possession or control of the “property”. The mindset of “If I can’t have them than no one else can have them either!” is very real. Stalking is also very real concern for victims of domestic violence. Most victims make the same mistake of ignoring the stalking behavior thinking that if they just ignore them they will get the message and leave them alone. This is so far from the truth, stalkers become more intent on getting the attention of the victim when they are ignored and intensify their tactics. Stalking can become violent and often results in murder of the victim. Stalking should be recorded on a calendar, with documentation of the event and reported to law enforcement officials. 

Orders of protection are not sufficient to protect victims of domestic violence. They do make it easier to prosecute repeat offenders should the prosecutor choose to do so. An order of protection is a piece of paper with an order for the perpetrator to leave the victim alone. It does not guarantee the victim any form of protection, it doesn’t provide a personal body guard, or 24 hour surveillance by police officers. There is very little accountability for violations of an order of protection. So the victim is left to once again, to live in danger and fear.  Many domestic violence victims who had an order of protection have been murdered by their perpetrators. The victim can report violations over and over again and still their lives are in danger. Often domestic violence offender become even more violent when served with an order to stay away from the victim. 

 

Agape House Inc. of Mountain View, Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence has served victims of domestic violence and their children for the past 30 years, providing them with safety, confidentiality, resources, and numerous other services. For more information please call our 24-hour crisis hotline at 417-934-1811 or toll free at 1-800-667-1811, or our business office at 417-934-5721 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.