02-22-1995 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT MINXTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION ON DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTERS HELD ON JANUARY 20, 1995 entire service area, not just the City of Orono. She reiterated that the current Westonka intervention service area would increase from approximately 20,000 to approximately 100,000. Schroeder noted that the relevant sutistic perhaps is not the low need of the City of Orono but the documented lack of space in the other shelters that currenUy service the area. Hurr commented that the lack of a local shelter, and the possible reluctance of a victim to go to an unknown "place in Plymouth" may be a hindrance to shelter use that would be eliminated by a local shelter. A local shelter, with high visibility, perhaps holding an open house, would logically more likely be used by local residents. Webber commented that there is a "woodwork effect" when a shelter opens up, that expands and intensifies the community’s education and awareness of problems and the various solutions. People who in the past might have stayed home now will see there are other options and start to use them. Also, people will by-pass the criminal justice system and go directly to the shelter. She also indicated that breaking a pattern of abuse takes a long time and there are victims who will go to the shelter, go back home, go back to the shelter, go back home over a period of time unfl the pattern of abuse is ended or some other tact is taken. Peterson asked Lt. Cheswick how many of the 38 abusers jailed were repeat offenders, i.e. are we really talking about less than 38 individuals. Cheswick indicated that was not part of the review but that likely some of the 38 were repeat offenders. Schroeder asked Cheswick if he had any idea of how many people were by-passing the legal system and not involving the police. Cheswick indicated there was no way of knowing. He suggested that typically in cases where the abuser is arrested, the spouse wants to stay at home where they feel most comfortable, and that is what commonly occurs. During the time the abuser is in custody, the police work with the victim to determine how the victim wants to handle the situation. Hurr suggested referrals might occur from places like churches and schools. Mabusth indicated she had talked to Westonka and Orono school districts and in fact the Westonka school did refer four families to Westonka Intervention in 1994, although the number is relatively low, perhaps a handful in a year for the Mound and Orono district. The Orono schools representative noted abuse situations exist and are often revealed during counseling sessions with smdents. Karen Orcutt, the Director of Special Education, could not provide specific numbers. Peterson reiterated Judge Davidson’s comment that churches are not always supportive of the victim in ways that solve the problem. Hurr asked Lt. Cheswick about procedures when the police are called to a domestic. Cheswick noted that domestics are one of the most dangerous situations, and generally two officers respond. Hurr questioned whether »hat eliminated coverage for the City for some period of time, and questioned how- much time officers actually could spend with a victim. Cheswick noted that if need be they call in reserves, interns or CSOs, to transport, sit with the victim, etc. If prior to arrival of backup the officer(s) receive another call and can ’t leave, they go to "mutual aid", calling in assistance from neighboring cities. He noted that an advocate would be called if the victim requests.