Tag: Domestic Assault

U.S. Attorney: Firearms Used In Most Domestic Violence Deaths

Nearly one in four women, and one in seven men, will experience severe domestic abuse in their lifetime and 20 percent of all violent crime is categorized as domestic violence. 

Nearly one in four women, and one in seven men, will experience severe domestic abuse in their lifetime and 20 percent of all violent crime is categorized as domestic violence. 

In support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), Will Thompson, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, is promoting the importance of enforcing federal firearm prohibitions.

Domestic violence abusers with access to a gun are five times more likely to kill their partners, according to the 2021 National Crime Victimization Survey data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

“Domestic violence affects us all personally in some way, and can have long-lasting impacts and consequences,” Thompson said. “As federal prosecutors in the Southern District of West Virginia, it is incumbent upon us to deploy every available resource and forge strategic collaborations with local law enforcement and fellow prosecutors. We have a shared responsibility to ensure that victims have a viable path to safety and justice.”

Thompson is promoting the importance of enforcing federal firearm prohibitions as part of the observance of DVAM.

In West Virginia, 14 of the 19 domestic violence homicides reported in 2020 were committed with firearms. Domestic violence abusers with access to a gun are five times more likely to kill their partners. 

Under federal law, offenders with domestic violence misdemeanor and felony convictions, and those subject to domestic violence protective orders, are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms. They can face felony prosecution and a federal prison sentence.

“A crucial part of combatting domestic violence and reducing violent crimes includes enforcing federal firearm prohibitions,” Thompson said. “We want our communities to know that we are here to support victims and survivors in the Southern District of West Virginia, and not just in October but every month.”

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence or need resources, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/local-resources.

Immediate help for domestic violence victims: Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (@ndvhofficial) at 1-800-799-7233 or Strong Hearts Native Helpline (@strongheartsdv) at 1-844-762-8483.

Grants Aim To Address Violence Against Women

Gov. Jim Justice on Thursday awarded close to $2 million in state grants to dozens of projects across the state meant to combat violence against women.

Gov. Jim Justice on Thursday awarded close to $2 million in state grants to dozens of projects across the state meant to combat violence against women.

The grants primarily focus on improving criminal justice responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking but also include victim service providers in 19 counties across the state. They provide equipment, training, and technical assistance for the establishment or enhancement of these teams.

The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence received the most money with more than $350,000 across two grants.

The funds are awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, and are administered by the Justice and Community Services Section of the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services.

Morgantown Police Maintains ‘Soft Interview Room’ For Trauma Survivors

Soft interview spaces are set up in law enforcement facilities to document victims’ stories.

Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, presented the Morgantown Police Department (MPD) and the Rape & Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC) Tuesday with $2000 for continuing maintenance of the Judy King soft interview room.

Soft interview spaces are set up in law enforcement facilities to document victims’ stories. According to Texas-based Project Beloved, a nonprofit that helps police departments install soft interview rooms, a space that is comfortable rather than stark allows the participant to feel physically and emotionally safe and can have a significant impact on the interview process.

The Judy King Soft Interview Room first opened five years ago to the day on April 5, 2017.

RDVIC Executive Director Alexia Jennings said it gives “a safe space to survivors to tell their stories and to ensure that as a community we are providing trauma informed victim centered services to survivors in Mon County.”

According to Tuesday’s presentation, Morgantown’s soft interview room is the first of its kind in West Virginia.

Charges Against 'America's Got Talent' Winner Murphy Dropped

News reports say a West Virginia prosecutor has dropped domestic violence charges against “America’s Got Talent” winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.

Murphy was charged in July with domestic battery and domestic assault after his girlfriend reported he struck her in the face with a golf club, slammed her on the ground and banged her head into the sidewalk following an argument.

Murphy released a statement saying he defended himself after she attacked him with a golf club and knife, but didn’t strike her.

WCHS-TV reports the charges were dismissed Wednesday at the request of Logan County Prosecutor John Bennett. The prosecutor says in a court filing that the charges could be refiled after further investigation and review of medical records.

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