Law officers to learn more about dealing with domestic violence

Learning more about victims, abusers and the state laws regarding criminal domestic violence will be the focus of a day-long training session in Marion next week.

Sponsored by the Pee Dee Coalition, a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to the reduction of rape, family violence and child abuse and to the needs of its victims, the event will feature the same presentations on two days to make it easier for officers to attend, Lisa Hyatt, Marion County coordinator and advocate with the Pee Dee Coalition, said. Marion County law officers will take part in the continuing education training in the Marion Opera House on July 21 or 23.

Domestic violence is a tremendous problem in the state, and a bigger problem in Marion County, Hyatt said.

"I have had a huge response. All police departments, as well as the Sheriff's department, are making it mandatory for officers. We have speakers coming from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy and I will be speaking as well," Hyatt, with the Coalition since March, said.

Gail Whitlock and Brian Bennett, CDV instructors from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy, will be leading the session. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Lunch will be catered for the atteendees. Hyatt said between the two sessions, the group is planning for 100 participants.

"The community has really stepped forward to help me out with this. We are receiving donations from grocery stores for lunch, from area businesses for door prizes…," Hyatt said. She said she thanks the following for helping to make the day a success. Donors and sponsors are: Blanton’s Supply, Danny Barnhill; Piggly Wiggly, Mullins, Sheila Tucker; Piggly Wiggly, Marion, Barry Allan; Bi-Lo, Mullins, Danny Johnson; Pariners IGA, Amy Brown; Food Lion, Tammy Berry; Myrick Wireless, authorized Alltel agent, Sherry Stroud; Marion County Medical Wellness Center; Stitches Unlimited, Jean Elliott; Dry Dock, Ricky Martin; and Carolina Entertainment Complex, John Gallo.

Along with the officers, Hyatt said all area victim advocates are planning to attend the workshop, with counselors from Trinity Behavior, DSS employees, magistrates, judges and others participating.
The "Responders to Domestic Violence In-service Training" will give 7.5 hours of continuing education credit to those attending, Hyatt said. Training will be on criminal domestic violence, its dynamics, the laws and the first responders' protocol.

"This is a huge step forward for Marion County, with so many agencies and people coming together to fight against domestic violence," Hyatt said, adding that she hopes those attending the session will come away with a better understanding of what victims go through and that they learn not to get discouraged when they are called back to a home for repeated CDV episodes.

She said she hopes victims understand that she was once a victim, too, for seven years, and that it took leaving four times before she finally was able to make the break necessary to start a new life.
"It's difficult for emergency responders to understand the 'victimology,'" Hyatt said, adding that it takes some times as many as nine times leaving or calling for help before a victim can start over and make a break from the violence.

Haytt said since March she has seen about 30 CDV cases in Marion County. Of those clients, 64 percent of the clients the coalition has served in Marion County have not returned to their abuser. This is a good success rate, she said, and the various county agencies coming together to show victims they have resources to help them get a fresh start is the reason behind the 19 or so folks leaving their abusive situations.

To those inflicting abuse, lashing out in anger and seeking to control others, Hyatt said it's important they know "We're here and we're not going anywhere..."

The training is free, Haytt said, and officers will also be updated on any changes in state laws. For information about criminal domestic violence, the Pee Dee Coalition of the upcoming training event, call Hyatt at (843) 423-6568 or visit www.peedeecoalition.org.