tagged w/ Domestic Violence
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Animal Blawg...
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Link Between Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse?
Posted on January 1, 2012 by David
Ciara Smyth
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On November 26th, 2011, Chicago police officers responded to a call and found little Christopher Valdez dead had been beaten to death in his home, as his family prepared to celebrate his fourth birthday. The boy was found to have died from multiple blunt force trauma and his death was ruled a child abuse homicide Saturday. Police were alerted to the house after he was discovered by his aunt and uncle, who had come to investigate after a neighbor told them that Christopher was sporting a black eye when he attended Thanksgiving at their home the previous day. Police charged the toddler’s live-in boyfriend, Cesar Ruiz, with first degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death, and for having a suspended driver’s license. The mother of the toddler was originally charged with concealment of a homicidal death and with endangering the life of a child. However, after it was revealed through police questioning that she observed Ruiz beating her son earlier in the week he was murdered, and had joined in by spanking the toddler herself, the charges against the mother were upgraded to include first-degree murder. Steven Valdez, the boy’s great uncle, previously described Ruiz, as anti-social and violent. He said that two weeks before the boy’s death, Ruiz beat a dog severely after it relieved itself in his home.
Family members want to know why Christopher was allowed to stay with his mother and Ruiz following her conviction in October for domestic battery after she admitted to punching Christopher in July “because she was angry” and to using make-up to cover his injuries. She was sentenced to parenting classes, given a conditional discharge, and was not sentenced to jail. Following the incident, but prior to her conviction, the Department of Children and Family Services determined that that there was “no credible evidence” of abuse and allowed the boy to remain in the home. The toddler’s death this month has naturally raised a lot of discussion and commentators to ask questions on DCFS’s oversight in allowing the child to remain at home.
What is disturbing to me however, is the statement by the toddler’s uncle that just two weeks prior to the deadly beating, the alleged killer had just severely beaten a dog for relieving himself in the house? This statement deserves further examination and attention, just as DCFS’s oversight does. His family wondered how little Christopher could have been allowed by social services to remain with his mother after the domestic battery incident. The next natural question that should follow is how the family let him stay with her and her live-in boyfriend after they knew he severely beat a dog just two weeks prior to beating the boy to death. And the fact that no one called the police to report that an animal had just been severely abused is beyond disturbing! Had that been done, perhaps the creep would be behind bars, which would have made it conceivably more difficult for him to beat the toddler to death. After all, under Illinois law, severely beating a dog could potentially constitute the felony of Aggravated Cruelty, pursuant to 510 ILCS 70/3.03, or even possibly Animal Torture, pursuant to 510 ILCS 70/3.02, depending on the facts. Sentences for both felony charges can involve jail time.
In a Utah State University study done in 1997 by Frank R. Ascione, Ph.D, Claudia V. Weber, M.S., and David S. Wood, on the connection between domestic violence and animal mistreatment and cruelty, women in domestic violence shelters were more likely to report that their partners had threatened to hurt their pets (52%) than the sample of women who were not living in domestic abuse shelters (16.7%). The severity of these threats was also higher in the shelter sample. Actual hurting or killing of pets was reported by 54% of the shelter women but only 3.5% of the women sampled who were not living in shelters. In the majority of cases, shelter women reported that multiple incidents of hurting or killing pets had occurred. In the shelter group, nearly one in four women reported that concern for their pets had kept them from coming in to the shelter sooner. Regardless of group membership, some women indicated that pets had been hit or kicked, or had been shot. The more horrific instances seemed to be restricted to the reports of shelter women who reported the following examples (among many others): pet was drowned, pet was nailed to the woman’s bedroom door, pet was given alcohol and poison, pet’s entire fur coat was shaved during the winter, and pet was thrown out of a moving car. Most of the incidents involved cats or dogs, but in the shelter groups, birds, gerbils, and rabbits were also mentioned as victims of abuse or killing.
The Animals & Society Institute’s website contains several links to recent studies that have been done on the connection between violent criminals and animal abuse. One such study done in 1997 by Northeastern University in conjunction with the SPCA in Massachusetts (MSPCA) revealed that 40% of all animal abusers had committed violent crimes against humans.
Studies also found that a history of animal abuse was found in 25% of male criminals, 30% of convicted child molesters, 36% of domestic violence cases and 46% of homicide cases.
While these studies reveal a lot of numbers and percentages, they also open the door to further examination on whether animal abuser is an indication of abuse against spouses, children, and other humans. In fact, taking into consideration what is potentially at stake, further exploration should be demanded. Consider the situation with little Christopher Valdez: in looking at the brutal bruises that covered his body from head to toe, police were shocked and horrified that a grown man could unleash so much violence on such a small little frame.
In conclusion, little Christopher Valdez died in vain. But perhaps he did not have to. Had this community stepped up to the plate and protected its most vulnerable members when required to, perhaps he would still be alive. I hope this brings encourages everyone person who has read or heard about this case in the news, to never take animal abuse lightly.
.Animal Blawg...
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Link Between Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse?
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Learn more: http://JanasStory.org
The most unlikely of domestic violence victims, Jana Mackey, a 25-year-old University of Kansas law student, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2008. Jana was well-known throughout Kansas for her advocacy for women. As a young adult, Jana served as a sexual assault and domestic violence advocate and as one of the youngest lobbyists at the Kansas state capitol.
This is a story about a horrible heartbreaking tragedy. But, more importantly, this is a story about hope and inspiration. It is a story about encouraging others to action.
Watch the video and help us spread the message at http://JanasStory.orgLearn more: http://JanasStory.org
The most unlikely of domestic violence victims,... more
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Hi my name is simon,
I was a victim of domestic violence via my ex partner and mother to my children.
it lasted for 5 years at first it was a playful slap but then when on to bumps and bruses.
she got me arrested and when the police got a doctor to look at my hand which she claimed i hit her the doctor pointed out that it was not from a hit so i told him and the police and they questioned me but also made me feel small as they could not belive a 5ft 7 woman could hurt a 6ft stocky man.
simonHi my name is simon,
I was a victim of domestic violence via my ex partner and... more
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Judith Colanderi woke to find her then-boyfriend’s knee in her chest and his thumbs crushing her throat. A large gash in the back of her head bled profusely where she’d been bludgeoned with a brick.Judith Colanderi woke to find her then-boyfriend’s knee in her chest and his... more
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http://www.thenassauguardian.com/attachments/article/15230/pets1.jpg
The Nassau Guardian...
Agreement with findings of animal cruelty study
An official from the Bahamas Humane Society yesterday agreed with the findings of a recent study identifying a link between animal cruelty and domestic violence.
[Click on link -- above -- to read entire article.]
.http://www.thenassauguardian.com/attachments/article/15230/pets1.jpg
The Nassau... more
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I don’t know Adams. I don’t his daughter. I have no first-hand evidence whatsoever of the internal dynamics of the family, of whether or not she’s acting out of concern or spite. There’s one thing I’m pretty sure I do know, however: no, Judge, it’s worse than it looked.
I have some experience with what Hillary suffered that night, because it’s similar to what I endured growing up.I don’t know Adams. I don’t his daughter. I have no first-hand evidence... more
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Domestic violence against men: Know the signs
Domestic violence against men isn't always easy to identify, but it can be a serious threat. Know how to recognize if you're being abused — and how to get help.
By Mayo Clinic staff
Women aren't the only victims of domestic violence. Understand the signs of domestic violence against men, and know how to get help.
Recognize domestic violence against men
Domestic violence — also known as domestic abuse, battering or intimate partner violence — occurs between people in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence against men can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse and threats of abuse. It can happen in heterosexual or same sex relationships.
It might not be easy to recognize domestic violence against men. Early in the relationship, your partner might seem attentive, generous and protective in ways that later turn out to be controlling and frightening. Initially, the abuse might appear as isolated incidents. Your partner might apologize and promise not to abuse you again.
In other relationships, domestic violence against men might include both partners slapping or shoving each other when they get angry — and neither partner seeing himself or herself as being abused or controlled. This type of violence, however, can still devastate a relationship, causing both physical and emotional damage.
You might be experiencing domestic violence if your partner:
• Calls you names, insults you or puts you down
• Prevents you from going to work or school
• Stops you from seeing family members or friends
• Tries to control how you spend money, where you go or what you wear
• Acts jealous or possessive or constantly accuses you of being unfaithful
• Gets angry when drinking alcohol or using drugs
• Threatens you with violence or a weapon
• Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise hurts you, your children or your pets
• Assaults you while you're sleeping, you've been drinking or you're not paying attention to make up for a difference in strength
• Forces you to have sex or engage in sexual acts against your will
• Blames you for his or her violent behavior or tells you that you deserve it
• Portrays the violence as mutual and consensual
If you're gay, bisexual or transgender, you might also be experiencing domestic violence if you're in a relationship with someone who:
• Threatens to tell friends, family, colleagues or community members your sexual orientation or gender identity
• Tells you that authorities won't help a gay, bisexual or transgender person
• Tells you that leaving the relationship means you're admitting that gay, bisexual or transgender relationships are deviant
• Justifies abuse by telling you that you're not "really" gay, bisexual or transgender
• Says that men are naturally violent
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/domestic-violence-against-men/MY00557
http://domesticviolenceresourcesformen.blogspot.com/Domestic violence against men: Know the signs
Domestic violence against men... more
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A controlling and jealous husband has taking the term 'feeder' to a whole new level after it was discovered that secretly fed his wife steroids so she would pile on weight and be forced to stay at home and look after their children.
Victim Jaspreet Singh Gill sprouted hair on her chin, cheeks and back because Dalwara Singh was lacing her food and drink with the drugs, Leicester Crown Court heard.
The mother of two also developed spotty, constantly itchy skin and some scalp hair fell out, but her husband of 17 years told her not to go to the doctor.
When she complained that the food he suddenly starting preparing for her tasted bitter, because of the steroids, Mr Singh made her eat it out of guilt, saying he had made it especially for her.
Their teenage daughter told her mother she heard her father grinding a pestle and mortar in the bedroom. Mrs Singh broke into a locked cupboard and found the anabolic steroids, Anapolon and Dianabol, and called the police.
Singh, a food factory production manager, of Empire Road, Leicester, admitted administering a poison or noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy, between November last year and January this year.
He avoided jail and was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with supervision, and ordered to attend a domestic abuse programme.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2056537/Dalwara-Singh-secretly-fed-wife-steroids-shed-stay-home-look-children.htmlA controlling and jealous husband has taking the term 'feeder' to a whole... more
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1 in 3 teens experience violence in relationships. NFL Players Association, Verizon Foundation and A CALL TO MEN launched the LIVERESPECT pledge to help teens end relationship violence. The program educates teens on the meaning of healthy relationships.1 in 3 teens experience violence in relationships. NFL Players Association, Verizon... more
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“We Found Love” is the world premier of Rihanna’s sexually charged, clubby smash music video, the apparently autobiographical single from her upcoming sixth album “Talk That Talk” (to be released on November 21st). The video appears to be an artful, poignant reminiscence about her previous tumultuous relationship with Chris Brown. Shot in Belfast, Ireland, the nearly five-minute music video features Rihanna in a passionate relationship with a muscular young man, played by the British model/boxer Dudley O’Shaughnessy.
“We Found Love” tells the story of a tragic love-affair, exploring the dark underworld of substance abuse, as she and her lover are seen partying, doing drugs, attending raves, swilling booze and ultimately engaging in devastating acts of serious domestic violence. Enjoy the video now, since there’s no way it will be shown on television without extensive censoring!
This piece includes a number of color photographs, as well as an HD version of the official music video.
http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/rihannas-we-found-love-a-tragic-love-affair/“We Found Love” is the world premier of Rihanna’s sexually charged,... more
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Read more: http://emilyslist.org/blog/Fighting_Domestic_Violence_as_Law_Enforcement/
By Val Demings
For much of our history, domestic violence was viewed not as a matter for law enforcement but as a personal or family matter. Because of that communities often stood by while women were being hurt or murdered. Finally, those laws have changed. Today, my former police department in Orlando has a zero tolerance policy on domestic violence. If you batter your significant other you will be arrested and you will go to jail.
What I always go back to are the raw numbers that explain how this tragic crisis hurts everyone it touches. For example, did you know that by the time you’re finished reading this blog a woman will have been beaten? And those are just the victims we KNOW about. These are the women and men who are brave enough to call the police and press charges. Twenty-five percent of all physical assaults, 50 percent of all stalking, and 20 percent of all rapes against women by intimate partners ARE reported to the police. So, you know the inverse of these numbers reflects that far too many crimes that go unreported.
Domestic violence crosses all ages, races, and economic backgrounds and continues to be a problem that all communities must work to stop. As Orlando Police Chief I was so proud of our officers who worked with our local shelters, not merely to help victims, but to be trained on the best way to work with victims to ensure offenders were brought to justice.
Read more here:
http://emilyslist.org/blog/Fighting_Domestic_Violence_as_Law_Enforcement/Read more: http://emilyslist.org/blog/Fighting_Domestic_Violence_as_Law_Enforcement/... more
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Last month, the Shawnee County District Attorney’s office, facing a 10% budget cut, announced that the county would no longer be prosecuting misdemeanors, including domestic violence cases, at the county level. Finding those cases suddenly dumped on the city and lacking resources of their own, the Topeka City Council is now considering repealing the part of the city code that bans domestic battery.
http://veracitystew.com/2011/10/11/de-criminalizing-domestic-abuse-your-teapublican-budget-cuts-at-work/Last month, the Shawnee County District Attorney’s office, facing a 10% budget... more
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Roxanne Jeskey, 48, enters the courtroom at Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor for her initial appearance Friday, June 24, 2011.
BANGOR, Maine — Her voice barely audible in the large first-floor courtroom, the local woman accused of brutally slaying her husband in June pleaded not guilty Thursday to a murder charge during a brief hearing at the Penobscot Judicial Center.
Roxanne M. Jeskey, 48, was indicted by the Penobscot County grand jury in July on a charge of intentional or knowing murder or depraved indifference murder in the death of her husband, Richard Jeskey, 53.
Dressed in dark blue jail clothes, the accused killer appeared to have lost weight since her first court appearance after her arrest in June.
A trial date has not been set, but it usually takes at least a year for a murder case to be tried.
District Court Judge Bruce Jordan ordered Thursday that the defendant continue to be held without bail at the Penobscot County Jail. The issue of bail could be revisited at a later date, he said.
Assistant Attorney General Leane Zainea, who is prosecuting the case, said after the hearing that she has filed a motion asking that Jeskey undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
Family and friends of the victim and the defendant attended Jeskey’s arraignment but declined to speak to the news media.
On June 13, Richard Jeskey’s body was found naked and bloody in the bathtub of the couple’s home on Ohio Street.
During her initial court appearance in June, Jeskey, who is being represented by her court-appointed attorneys, Joseph Baldacci and David Bates, said she was acting in self-defense. She said she had been brutally assaulted by her husband the night he died.
Baldacci reiterated Thursday that when he first met his client, she was “covered in bruises from head to toe” and recovering from her injuries at St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor.
Richard Jeskey was beaten and strangled by his wife in a fit of jealousy, according to Bangor police who investigated his death. When officers went to the couple’s home on June 13, Richard Jeskey’s body showed signs of trauma to his groin, upper torso, face and head, according to a police affidavit filed at the Penobscot Judicial Center.
The results of an autopsy conducted June 14 at the state medical examiner’s office in Augusta showed that he suffered extensive multiple blunt- and sharp-force injuries to the head, neck, torso and limbs.
Jeskey admitted that she and her husband had a fight the night of June 12 into the early morning hours of June 13 because of a phone call between her husband and his ex-girlfriend, according to court documents. She admitted that she assaulted her husband “with various weapons including pliers, a box cutter and a plastic baseball bat.”
http://bangordailynews.com/2011/09/08/news/bangor/bangor-woman-pleads-not-guilty-to-killing-husband-in-june/Roxanne Jeskey, 48, enters the courtroom at Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor for... more
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Just like the "Kentucky Woman" Neil Diamond sang about, Melissa Harvick "shines with her own kind of light," you could say. Earlier this week, Harvick appeared at a family court hearing as the defendant in a dispute with her husband, who had filed a domestic violence order against her.
While her husband tried to explain his side of the story to the presiding judge, Harvick allegedly interrupted him and wouldn't stop talking. This prompted the judge to sentence Harvick to ten days in jail for contempt of court. The jail sentence did not please Harvick very much, as you will soon come to understand by watching the video above.
Harvick now faces more jail time and more charges. Lunge and learn.
http://gawker.com/5821924/kentucky-woman-angered-by-sentencing-attacks-judgeJust like the "Kentucky Woman" Neil Diamond sang about, Melissa Harvick... more
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Female prisoners experience the liberating effect of creative writing with the help of inspirational poet Leah Thorn.
http://vimeo.com/suzanne/beautifulsentenceFemale prisoners experience the liberating effect of creative writing with the help of... more
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Suffolk News-Herald...
Kitten’s death marks need for education
Published 8:35pm Saturday, June 4, 2011
By Michele Thames
Guest Columnist
Earlier this week, I learned about a case of animal cruelty in Suffolk in which a 12-year-old boy allegedly threw a kitten against a wall, kicked the kitten and attempted to stab the kitten with a pocketknife. Before the 12-year-old was able to hurt the kitten with the knife, another child stepped in and stopped the abuse.
There has been an outpouring of anger at the 12 year old child for his actions. There has been a flood of support for the heroic action of the child that stopped the mistreatment of the helpless kitten.
There are many different reasons why people hurt animals, and sometimes it is because they are simply cruel. Studies show that there is a correlation between animal abuse, child abuse and domestic violence. For some children, exposure to violence makes committing violent acts more probable.
The hope of the Suffolk Humane Society is that the 12-year-old child gets the help he needs so he can stop the cycle of abuse and cruelty.
Unfortunately, the kitten in this case died, but the boy who attempted to save his life deserves all the accolades in the world. It is very difficult to stand up for what is right, and it is never right to harm an animal in an act of violence.
The Suffolk Humane Society would like to publicly thank this boy for his heroic actions. Our hope is that all children will feel empowered to stand up for what is right and just as they grow up.
The Suffolk Humane Society is committed to a humane education program that teaches compassion and kindness toward both people and animals. We want to teach ways to commit to living an ethical, sustainable, and peaceful existence on earth with animals and humans alike. We have a team of committed volunteers and certified therapy dogs that are able to visit schools, community centers, churches and other gathering places to educate both children and adults.
Please visit our website, www.suffolkhumanesociety.com, or call 538-3030 and leave a message to find out more about our services or how you can help. The way that we treat those least able to defend themselves speaks volumes about our community.
Michele Thames is the humane education director and president of the Board of Directors for the Suffolk Humane Society.
PHOTO: This is NOT a photo of the kitten who was killed.Suffolk News-Herald...
Kitten’s death marks need for education
Published... more
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'Game of Thrones' is currently a hit on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic in the UK and Ireland (if you got satellite TV), but one viewer's argument in Florida over the show ended up violent.
Michael Podniestrzanski was charged with domestic battery to his cousin Joshua Ross, arguing over who is going to win in a battle. According to police reports, Podniestrzanski threw a punch at his cousin and threw him out of the window. Ouch, should've read the book...
Source: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/domestic-abuse/man-battered-kin-over-hbos-game-thrones-780215'Game of Thrones' is currently a hit on HBO in the US and Sky Atlantic in... more
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