By Christina M. Wright, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON, Ind. — Two years ago, the Madison County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team was born.
“We want to better understand what happened prior to; there are certainly some red flags that could prevent more of these events,” said Holly Renz, the co-chair for the team and the nurse at the Madison County Sexual Assault Center.
Renz said the 15-member team held a review of its accomplishments Wednesday at Alternatives, Inc. in honor of its two-year anniversary. She noted that, based on case reviews, the team has recommended policies in the workplace and for law enforcement to help fight fatalities.
The team was created in August 2006, after the Madison County Commissioners Office passed an ordinance. Since 2008, the team of health and policing experts have reviewed several domestic violence cases that ended in death.
“What we do is an autopsy of the event,” said chairman Don Allbaugh, a facilitator at the Center for Mental Health.
In the past two years, the team has looked at two cases, with a third that began in February. According to information given by the team, each case is reviewed over six to eight meetings, including Department of Child Services reports, coroners reports, photos and interviews.
Renz said the first case reviewed by the team was a relationship that had no prior domestic violence. On the night of the death, Renz said, the boyfriend decided to walk home after the couple had been fighting. When the girlfriend turned the car around, she ran over her boyfriend and didn’t stop until she got home, according to Renz.
Renz said, based on that case, the experts recommended that local police agencies train their officers on how to charge vehicle accidents when it is related to domestic violence.
“Most of the time, vehicular homicide is seen as an aggravated battery,” she said, noting the girlfriend served three years for aggravated battery. Renz added that battery may not be the appropriate charge.
In the team’s second case review, they studied a murder/suicide where domestic violence had been frequent. In that case, she said, the team found room for improvement in the workplace.
“The female’s workplace was aware of (the abuse), but in hindsight, they really talked to us about not being sure how to approach her,” Renz said. “It’s very difficult to address women who we suspect, but don’t know for sure, are a victim of domestic violence.”
The team has recommended training for employers to recognize and address domestic violence victims in the workplace, debriefing for co-workers of victims and a unified bond schedule for city and town courts.
The bond schedule went into effect in January.
Several team members said Wednesday that they encourage other counties to develop fatality review teams. The Madison County team was the first in Indiana and is the only currently active team.
“We’re hopeful that with the success of this team, it will be an inspiration to other counties that they need to implement their own,” Allbaugh said.
Contact Christina M. Wright, 640-4883, christina.wright@heraldbulletin.com.
