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College of Law receives grant to lead study on domestic violence |
| By
Kathleen Amerkhanian |
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Sep 6, 2006 |
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In 2005, 30 percent of homicides in Lucas County resulted from domestic violence, and all of the homicides in Wood County were related to domestic violence.
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| Kaptur |
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur visited UT Tuesday, Aug. 29, to announce the award of a federal grant that will enable the College of Law to devote more resources to reducing the high rate of domestic violence deaths in the region. The College of Law Domestic Violence Clinic will spend the next year supporting a community-wide study of trends and risk factors, looking for solutions to the problem.
“We believe that many of these deaths could have been prevented and many, many more domestic violence fatalities can be prevented in the future,” said Gabrielle Davis, director of the Domestic Violence Clinic and a faculty member in the College of Law.
The $197,446 grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice. Kaptur, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, included the funding in the Justice Department’s fiscal year 2006 appropriations bill.
Kaptur praised the College of Law’s Domestic Violence Clinic and the many community agencies that work to educate the public on resources available for those who need help. She encouraged the media to participate in educating the public as well “so that no person in our community lives in fear.”
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| Law Dean Douglas Ray congratulates Gabrielle Davis, director of the Domestic Violence Clinic. |
The College of Law’s engagement in the community is a reflection of the University’s commitment to public service, said College of Law Dean Douglas Ray.
The dedication to finding solutions to this societal problem fits in with the overall mission of the University “to improve the human condition,” said UT President Lloyd Jacobs. He also highlighted the University Medical Center’s 24/7 availability to those seeking help.
Davis observed that domestic violence homicides are not isolated incidents but reverberate throughout a community. Many homicide victims leave behind a family, often with small children. A victim's life has touched other lives through work, school, leisure activities and community interests. "Many are left to grieve," Davis noted.
Davis chairs the Lucas County Domestic Violence Task Force Fatality Review Committee, which will conduct the study of domestic violence fatalities with support from the College of Law. The committee, formed in 2005, is comprised of the Toledo Lucas County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center, YWCA Battered Women's Shelter, Lucas County Domestic Relations Court, Family Services of Northwest Ohio and the UT Social Work Department, with the UT College of Law Domestic Violence Clinic.
The study will begin in January and culminate in recommendations for policy changes to the Lucas County Board of Commissioners and the Toledo City Council in December 2007.
Also speaking at the press conference was Lucas County Commission President Tina Skeldon Wozniak, who has been very visible in the community in efforts relating to raising awareness of domestic violence. She described how the grant would help the community.
“This law school’s leadership and this University’s leadership on this issue is critical,” she said.
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