Document text
53 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, November 29, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend October 16, 2003 Jail time urged for domestic violence By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune With domestic violence known or alleged in three recent Rogue Valley murders and one apparent murder-for-hire, Lundy Bancroft’s visit to the Rogue Valley Wednesday was tragically well-timed. The national expert on men who hurt women said the rash of local crimes follows a common pattern seen elsewhere. "Domestic violence killings tend to come in runs," said Bancroft. "Men who are thinking about it say, ‘Well, he didn’t take it any more.’" The keynote speaker for local Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities led a training for some 300 social workers, counselors, lawyers and judges Wednesday. Advertisement During a break in the program, he seemed surprised at the spate of deadly crimes in a community of not quite 200,000. Domestic violence has been alleged in the murders this year of Dawn Elizabeth Glick and Lea Peggy Borth of Medford, as well as Kerry Michele Repp of Central Point. It’s also a factor in the attempted murder-for-hire of Judy Weaver of Phoenix, tried this week in Jackson County Circuit Court. Bancroft called for fundamental shifts in legal, media and community values if future deaths are to be prevented. He advocated for jail time from the start for domestic violence offenses. "You shove a woman, two weeks in jail," Bancroft said. "It’s hands off. Probation is not appropriate." Stiffer legal consequences would make abusive men think twice about their behavior, he said. "There’s so much cost-benefit analysis that goes on with batterers," said Bancroft, author of the forthcoming book "When Dad Hurts Mom: Healing the Wounds of Children Who Witness Verbal or Physical Abuse." Contrary to popular belief, domestic violence is a crime of power, not passion, Bancroft said. Ignoring early incidents often allows violence to escalate. More accurate coverage by the media also would help prevent domestic violence deaths, Bancroft said. Journalists frequently portray domestic violence murders in a way that elevates the abuser, he said. "When people commit killings, they’re accorded what looks like a sick glory," he said. "These stories are not covered as hate crimes, they’re covered as love crimes." Finally, even though community tolerance for domestic violence is lessening, it must extend to families, friends and colleagues of perpetrators. "One of my messages is that people have to be willing to stop supporting batterers — even when he’s their own," Bancroft said. For more information, visit www.Lundy-Bancroft.com Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times