Letter to the Editor – Facing the Abuser

Thank you to the Naples Daily News for publishing this letter from The Shelter Executive Director Linda Oberhaus on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015.

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To the Editor:

Last February, the shocking violence of the Ray Rice abuse video brought the reality of domestic abuse into full view. More recently, a video from a Seminole County courtroom is equally as disturbing, but this time the “knock-out” is at the hands of the very person sworn to administer justice.

In the video, Judge Jerri Collins rebukes a desperate abuse survivor for failing to appear in court last July, finding the woman in contempt of court and sentencing the sobbing single mother to three days in jail.

Allegedly choked and threatened by her abuser at knife point, the woman apologizes to the judge for missing the hearing, stating she was too depressed and traumatized to face her abuser in court.

Here at The Shelter, we know too well the trauma and anxiety suffered by victims of domestic violence. It is the reason our legal advocates provide assistance and accompany survivors to court. Unfortunately for this woman, she did not have that kind of support.

Judges should absolutely take into account those domestic violence victims who are too intimidated, frightened, or traumatized to appear in court. Sending a victim of abuse to jail, or forcing her to testify at the risk of further abuse, homelessness, or worse, only serves to promote further victimization.

Justice may be blind, but in this case, it was deaf as well.

Linda Oberhaus, Executive Director
Naples Shelter for Abused Women & Children