Maine forum explores domestic abuse

BOOTHBAY HARBOR – Maine Public Safety Commissioner Anne Jordan launched the first of a series of statewide community forums on domestic violence Wednesday night at St. Andrews Hospital.

State Troopers Mark Barney and Lt. Gerard Madden from Troop D in Thomaston, Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett, Knox County District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau, St. Andrews Healthcare President and Chief Operating Officer Peggy Pinkham and other community leaders spoke on local efforts to curb domestic violence.

The meeting was co-sponsored by the Boothbay Region Domestic Abuse Prevention Council, which was formed in 2004 in the aftermath of a double homicide in the town where a man shot and killed his mother and wife in front of his two children.

A former assistant district attorney and deputy district attorney for York County, Jordan told the gathering of 35 people at the forum why she was pursuing her campaign against domestic violence.

“About a year ago, … a young lady in Wells was killed by her husband and then he killed himself,” she said. “They left two beautiful little boys behind.”

The murder-suicide of Thomas Oliver, 30, and Nicole Oliver in July 2007 raised awareness of domestic violence and led to a new law written by Sen. Nancy Sullivan, D-Biddeford, Jordan said.

The Olivers were going through a divorce and had a history of domestic violence. Sullivan asked for help in determining what services could have prevented Nicole’s death, Jordan said.

“Senator Sullivan drafted a rather extensive bill, and she came to me. I told her to go out to the community and find out what was working and not working, and what needs to be improved,” Jordan said.

Sullivan’s inquiries led to her drafting LD 1990, a “Resolve to Prevent Domestic Violence and Protect Our Citizens.” The bill was enacted in April to help victims of domestic violence.

“Last year, Nicole Oliver was killed by her estranged husband in Wells,” Sullivan wrote in a synopsis of the bill. “This might not have happened if she had better access to services to help her situation.”

The new law directs the Department of Public Safety to review measures supporting and protecting victims and potential victims of domestic violence.

It also directs the department to conclude how to increase protection of domestic violence victims, improve the criminal justice system response and help people better find and get access to services.

Jordan said domestic violence assaults increased in Maine last year by 3.7 percent, the third year in a row that had an increase.

“Typically, half of Maine’s homicides are domestic-related, and, so far this year 13 of the 17 homicides involved domestic violence,” she said.

Jordan, who serves as chairman of Maine’s Commission on Domestic Violence, said great strides have been made in the past 20 years, but more work remains.

“Domestic violence organizations, Maine law enforcement, the courts, and Maine’s Legislature continue to improve the state’s ability to prevent and respond to domestic violence, and the community meetings will help us to continue to make improvements,” she said.

Her goal is to hear from the communities and organizations on the front line and learn from them about what additional services and support are needed from the state level.

The discussions Wednesday ranged from violations of protection orders to abuse of pets as indicators of an abusive person.

Other forums have been scheduled so far in Skowhegan on July 9 and Presque Isle on Aug. 7. Other meetings will be announced as they are scheduled, Jordan said.

gchappell@bangordailynews.net

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