Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
The headline is stunning: “Domestic disputes claim one Utahn every 21 days.”
Think of it! Husbands, wives, intimate partners, for whatever reason, end up in circumstances that turn violent and result in one killing the other. And most of us wonder how it can be.
Mostly, though, society should be trying to figure out how to prevent it.
A recent report released by the Utah Department of Health provides a good first step. Appropriately it identifies the seriousness of the problem. It details all domestic violence homicides - 53 of them over a three year period. 63 percent of them had children 18 years of age or younger, and in far too many instances, the kids witnessed the murder.
The next step, obviously, is to follow up on the study’s recommendations: “to reduce (such homicides) through education, awareness, outreach, and system and policy change.” The goals are laudable. And KSL believes they are achievable – if – the entire community is willing to acknowledge the seriousness of the problem and support valid efforts to find solutions.
KSL commends the health department for investigating the issue, for appropriately calling it to the public’s attention, and for making specific suggestions for addressing it. Somehow, such horrible, senseless murders must be stopped.
