Domestic specialist reports police response to violence
by Paul D. Matson, reporter

    The Fort Worth Police Department receives a call needing help…
this may only be the first sign of trouble, a domestic volunteer told NE students recently.

   A “Signal 15” (domestic abuse) sends a special response team to the scene. The first response to a domestic abuse situation is a regular police officer, Ralphia Swindell, with Women’s Haven, said.

   Then the Domestic Assault Response Team (DART) goes to work.

   Next on the scene is a police detective, trained in domestic violence, and a volunteer from DART.

   After relieving the initial officer, the detective and volunteer assess the situation.

   Usually, the abuser has fled the scene. If not, the detective questions the person while the counselor speaks with the abused.

   Most victims go back to their significant others repeatedly.

   “It (leaving the abusive situation) usually takes seven times before the abused person permanently breaks ties with the abuser,” she said.

   Statistics show the abuse will only get worse.

   “It’s only a matter of time before the abused subject will be killed,” she said

   Dallas police have determined the three elements leading to homicides in a domestic situation.

   The signs are displays of anger in public, choking and suicide and homicide threats by the abuser.

   Domestic violence is a reaction of power and control over another person, Swindell said.

   “Once a woman leaves, she is in the most danger of being killed because he has lost his power over her,” she said.

   Women are not the only victims, Swindell said. Men can also be abused.

   A person does not necessarily have to file charges for a subject to be arrested.

   If someone shows signs of physical injuries or claims to be in pain, the police will automatically arrest the abuser.

   In Fort Worth in 2001, 6,230 incidents of family violence were reported. Many were repeat offenses.

   After an assault, DART will transport the person and children to the Women’s Haven of Fort Worth.

   There is no need to pack anything, a person can leave her house immediately and go straight to the Haven.

   The Haven has everything needed, from toothbrushes to clothes.

   Children can be transferred to another school or in certain circumstances can be educated at the Haven.

   The person may also change her name and social security number.

   Once a DART volunteer makes initial contact with the abused, the volunteer never works with that person again, Swindell said. Another caseworker will do the follow-up work.

   “It just gets too personal,” she said.

   Of the 31 volunteers, only one is a man.

   “We were afraid at first to use men, but they do very well as volunteers. Men are a positive force, and women trust them,” she said.

   DART is grant funded and began on the east side of Fort Worth. After one year, the program became available to the north side.

   The hours for the DART response team are 7 p.m.-3 a.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2-10 p.m. Sundays.

   Swindell’s presentation was sponsored by Attitude for a Positive Today, a student organization.