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News Specialist Jill Atwood reportingMark Shurtleff/Utah Attorney General - "THIS IS CYCLE OF VIOLENCE THAT ABSOLUTELY MUST BE STOPPED THIS IS MORE THAN A TRAGEDY THIS IS A SLAUGHTER."
A call for action after six Utahns die in the last four days all the victims of domestic violence.
Advocates for victims of domestic violence say they're devastated by the weekend death toll.
And, they say it's time the community take a roll in helping prevent further tragedy.
Attorney general Mark Shurtleff actually choked back tears today right here on the capitol steps.
Everyone here wanted victims to know they are not alone, unless they choose to be.
A 34 year old woman and her three year old daughter found dead in their West Valley City Home. The man in their lives has been booked on suspicion of murder.
Then a murder suicide in Magna the very next day. In this case an estranged boyfriend shoots and kills his girlfriend outside her home. Her 14 year old daughter is sound asleep inside.
Then yesterday, a man shoots his wife and then turns the gun on himself. Their three children may have witnessed the whole thing.
Mark Shurtleff/Utah Attorney General - "I THINK EVERY MAN IN THIS STATE OUGHT TO STAND UP TO MEN WHO WILL VIOLATE AND ABUSE WOMEN AND CHILDREN AND SAY YOU'RE NOT REAL MEN."
Today on the capitol steps outrage and frustration from those who work so hard to prevent such crimes. The message isn't new, but obviously still necessary.
Brandy Farmer/Domestic Violence Survivor - "I WAS EMOTIONALLY ABUSED TO THE POINT WHERE I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT I WAS A VICTIM..I THOUGHT VICTIMS WERE PEOPLE WHO GOT KILLED..I DIDN'T KNOW THAT I WAS A VICTIM..IT WAS WHEN MY HUSBAND PUT A GUN TO MY DAUGHTER'S HEAD AND SAID I'LL KILL HER AND YOU AND ME..AND ALL I COULD THINK OF WAS MY SON COMING HOME TO THAT BLOODY MESS AFFECT HIM FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.
These experts can't stress enough that the violence will escalate, and that women need to report it and take action before it doesif not for themselves...for their children. Protective orders will solve the problem in many cases, but their are certainly holes in the system for those that violate them.
Judy Kasten Bell/Utah Domestic Violence Advisory Council -"OFTEN TIMES PEOPLE JUST BAIL OUT AND THEY ARE BACK ON THE STREET....AND IT'S NOT LOOKED AT AS SERIOUS SO WE NEED TO KEEP BETTER TRACK OF VIOLATIONS AND LOOK AT THAT MORE CLOSELY AND MORE SERIOUSLY IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING..ABSOLUTELY.
And house bill 57 may take care of that. Instead of bailing people out, each person would have to meet with a judge so more individualized attention to this problem.
There are 15 shelters in Utah and plenty of people to listen.
