Domestic Violence Training

ADVOCATES AND OFFICERS PARTNER TOGETHER TO HELP VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
• Safe Harbor hosted Domestic Violence Intervention and Investigation Training for law enforcement professionals on June 16 & 17.

“When I was trained as a police officer in the 1970’s, I was taught not to arrest domestic violence offenders.  But, when I answered my first domestic call, I decided to challenge the law keep its promise to protect victims.”

These are the words of Lt. Mark Wynn, a national trainer for law enforcement professionals, who spoke during the Domestic Violence Intervention & Investigation Training at Greenville Tech on June 16 & 17.  Law enforcement officers, victim advocates, and judges from across the state gathered together during this training to hear Lt. Wynn speak about domestic violence investigation and intervention topics such as Threat Assessment, Avoiding Dual Arrest & Officer Manipulation, and Responding to Children on the Scene.  Safe Harbor planned and hosted this training, thanks to educational funding provided by the Community Foundation of Greenville.

Lt. Wynn served for 20 years in the Metropolitan Police Department in Kansas and Tennessee before becoming a law enforcement trainer on the topic of family violence.  He has led trainings for law enforcement professionals throughout the United States and internationally.

During the training, Lt. Wynn discussed the issue of victims who want to drop charges and refuse to testify against their abuser in cases of Criminal Domestic Violence.  Law enforcement professionals are often frustrated by this fact, thinking that victims are not interested in receiving help.  Lt. Wynn explained the fear that a victim faces in the courtroom, saying, “Think about it.  You would not want to testify against a person who mugged you if he knew your address, your phone number, where you work and go to church.  This is what it is like for a victim of domestic violence.”

Lt. Wynn discussed the importance of thorough investigation in domestic cases in order to avoid making dual arrests and to determine the difference between offensive and defensive wounds.  He explained that, when a victim tries to defend herself, the abuser might try to frame the victim as the abuser.

“It is important to listen to whole story, not just a piece of the pie,” said Lt. Wynn.  “When we start listening, we can prosecute offenders and give victims the help and protection they deserve.”