Speak up, Maine men: Domestic violence is nothing to keep silent about pressherald.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from pressherald.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The View From Here: With domestic abuse, we are all witnesses
It’s everyone’s responsibility to speak up when they suspect partner violence, no matter how awkward that may be.
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Rhonda Pattelena was beaten to death on York Beach last month in broad daylight, in sight of multiple witnesses.
Jeffrey J. Buchannan, her former domestic partner, was arrested at the scene and has been charged with murder. And as often happens in cases like this, people wonder whether the responsibility extends further.
IF YOU NEED HELP
If you or someone you know is being affected by domestic violence, help is available through the Statewide Domestic Abuse Helpline: 1-866-834-HELP
Family, friends, supporters gather on beach in York to mourn Rhonda Pattelena centralmaine.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from centralmaine.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
• Links to York County domestic violence resources are available at caring-unlimited.org
But police officers say it’s not fair to question the split-second decisions that witnesses have to make while also considering their own safety. And advocates who work with domestic abuse survivors say that instead of questioning the response of people who witness a shocking domestic violence homicide, as was the case in York, communities should focus on recognizing and preventing domestic abuse.
“The conversation we really need to be having is about prevention. How do we intervene before it gets to that point?” said Regina Rooney, education and communications director for the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence.
Could witnesses have stopped fatal attack on beach? Police chief says no pressherald.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from pressherald.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.