Some domestic violence victims afraid to seek help after 'The List'

Some domestic violence victims afraid to seek help after 'The List'


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SALT LAKE CITY -- A list of supposed illegal immigrants released earlier this year to media and law enforcement has had a chilling effect on Latino women seeking help, according to domestic violence groups.

After "the list" was sent out, members of the Utah Domestic Violence Council say they noticed many Latino victims afraid to give their names and seek other types of assistance. The group's diversity coordinator, Hildegard Koenig, says people are afraid.

"We may have a victim that may not contact law enforcement, may be reluctant to do so. They may just be afraid to even just go and get some medical services," says Koenig.

The UDVC has sent out an e-mail to service providers to remind them about the importance of confidentiality. It's also trying to educate those who help victims to know about all the rights that victims have under the U.S. and state constitutions when it comes to reporting crime.

The UDVC says it appreciates the actions taken by the Department of Workforce Services of holding a dialogue with community groups and plans to hold seminars on access to services in local communities, since the list was released.

Investigators say the list was complied and released by two DWS employees.

The UDVC says the release of such lists poses a dangerous impact on victims of domestic violence in Utah.

E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com

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Randall Jeppesen

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