Editor’s note: This commentary is by the staff at Circle, which provides domestic and sexual violence services in Washington County.
On Oct. 12, an on-duty police officer committed a heinous and lethal act of domestic violence in our community. As staff and volunteers at Circle process this tragedy, we know that this could have been any one of the resilient, brave and amazing survivors we are privileged to work with each day.
At the same time that the officer went to kill his former intimate partner, Circle staff were being trained by Dr. Jacqueline Campbell and the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center to help identify high risk cases of domestic violence using the danger assessment lethality risk tool. The sobering news of the homicide made us all stop and remember why we do the work we do: to support and believe survivors, and to end domestic violence.
Julie Fandino was much more than a victim of domestic violence, so it’s important we remember that any coverage about her murder will inevitably fail to depict the complexity and fullness of her life and the impact that this homicide has had on her surviving family members, friends, as well as those attempting to help during the immediate event or in the time preceding it. Our community has suffered a tremendous loss because of this domestic violence homicide.
Domestic violence homicides can happen anywhere, to anyone. If a firearm is in the home when domestic violence occurs, the risk of lethality goes up 500%. We may not realize it, but we all know someone who has been affected by domestic violence. And when an abuser is a law enforcement officer, it severely limits the ability and willingness of the victim to seek help. In the aftermath of a domestic violence homicide, the focus often turns to what the victim did or did not do “to cause” the abuser to do this. The focus should instead be on why the abuser thought he had the right to take Julie’s life. To prevent domestic violence and homicide, we as a community must send a consistent, strong message that all abuse is unacceptable.
Domestic violence is a choice. Domestic violence is not about stress, depression, mental illness or alcohol/substance use causing an abuser to be violent. Nor is it about an abuser “losing control” or “snapping.” It is a calculated act by the abuser to control and intimidate the victim. Homicide is the ultimate form of power and control. Too often with these tragedies the focus is on the abuser. Let’s not forget about the life of Julie Fandino and her family and friends.
Circle is available on our 24/7 hotline at 1-877-543-9498. We are here to listen, to believe, and to help you develop safety plans based on what you need, as the survivor is always the expert in their experience.
Circle stands with Julie, Courtney, and Cindy — all survivors who were murdered by their former intimate partners in the past four years in Washington County. And we stand with anyone who is ready to seek help, and for everyone who isn’t ready yet; we will be here when it feels safe for you to do so.
