Catalina Island Women’s Forum looks at domestic violence issue

Even on the “Island of Romance,” some individuals will abuse their partners

Staff report

The Catalina Island Women’s Forum had a strong turn out recently on one of the coldest winter nights of 2013 for a program about the dynamics of domestic violence.  The intent was to provide information and facilitate a discussion about services that are available to Avalon residents and visitor that may be victims of domestic violence.

Even on the “Island of Romance,” some individuals will abuse their partners

Staff report

The Catalina Island Women’s Forum had a strong turn out recently on one of the coldest winter nights of 2013 for a program about the dynamics of domestic violence.  The intent was to provide information and facilitate a discussion about services that are available to Avalon residents and visitor that may be victims of domestic violence.

Avalon City Council Member Michael Ponce attended, as well as several local hoteliers, their staff and other interested community members.

Women’s Forum President Amanda Cook introduced Winnie Heiss, who has been instrumental over the past 15 years in providing training for the Women’s Forum as well as Avalon’s domestic violence first responders.

“Count with me—every 9 seconds someone is beaten by their domestic partner,” Heiss said. “Every year, over 4,000 victims of domestic violence are killed. Domestic violence causes more injuries to women in the USA between the ages of 15 and 44 than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined.

“I worked at Su Casa the battered women and children’s shelter for 10 years, but before that I was a naive as some of you may be. I was a school teacher, and I didn’t have a clue that some of those little ones sitting in front of me had witnessed more abuse in one morning than I had in a lifetime.”

Heiss has also worked with victims on the Island.

“I have met victims at the boat and transported them to safe shelters, after these women have spent the entire day or night with them at the hospital or in a safe place away from the perpetrator,” she said. “It is with the cooperation of the Island facilities, the police station, hospital, churches, to trust these forum members enough to know the identity of victims will not be revealed.”

Heiss asked the following:

When there is a domestic violence situation at your neighbor’s house, what can you hear?  What are your reactions? If you have heard this yelling and maybe even physical confrontation many times how do you feel?   When do you know when it is time to call 911?  After you place the call what happens? What are you to do?  Do not put yourself in danger.

“I am sure the law enforcement officers will reinforce this,” Heiss said. “Domestic violence calls have been known to be the most dangerous and frustrating. You see, the victim very often only wants the beating to stop.”

Lt. Doug Fetteroll, commander of the Avalon Sheriff’s Station, introduced Sgt. Robert Berardi. The sergeant explained the responsibility of law enforcement to a domestic violence dispute on the island. “Domestic violence is one of the most chronically underreported crimes,” he said.

Assistant Harbor Master J. J. Poindexter and Orne Carstarphen, who have been trained on the dynamics of domestic violence, explained the routine when the Harbor Patrol is the first agency to respond to a domestic violence call on a boat.  They said that they respond to the harbor more often than people might think. Alcohol is often involved. They said it is a challenge to distinguish between a victim and a perpetrator on a boat.

Dawn Sampson, a social worker with the Avalon Medical Center, displayed the medical forms and detailed the treatment of injury caused by a spouse or partner. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.

In addition, the cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services.

Assistant Fire Chief Mike Krug gave an overview of how domestic violence responses are handled at the emergency medical service level. Krug also discussed the Avalon Fire Department’s participation in the Safe Surrender Program.

Pam Albers, past president of the Woman’s Forum and one of the original board members, shared the services provided by the Woman’s Forum to assist victims and their children out of the dangerous situation.  

“We don’t have a shelter in Avalon, so the Forum facilitates services between agencies on the mainland and victims here,” Albers said.  “Sometimes the only assistance they are ready to accept is a sympathetic ear and someone to tell them that it is not their fault.”

Women’s Forum President Cook thanked Cinde Cassidy for organizing the presentation and all the hoteliers for attending and sending their staff to learn how the community can unite to work with victims of abuse. The Woman’s Forum provides a 24-hour confidential hotline for victims of domestic violence: (310) 510-1233.