Sherry Taylor |
7/25/2009 - 7/26/09
Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families believes that state District Court Judge Michael Vigil's July 16 ruling shows complete disregard for the safety of the victim, her children and the community at large.
Judge Vigil sentenced Steve Romero to 41/2 years of probation and no jail time for the brutal beating of his pregnant wife. This weak ruling was alleged to be influenced by the victim's testimony that she wanted her husband out of jail to support their children.
It is essential in domestic-violence cases that the legal system understand the dynamics of domestic violence and why victims of abuse may stand up for their offenders. When victims do this, it can be infuriating to the public. But it is not because they want to be further traumatized or beaten again. It is because they have been taught, over time, exactly what happens when they defy their offenders and stand up for themselves.
Victims of abuse are often intimidated with threats of death and physical violence, as well as with daily manipulations and verbal abuse. In the Romero case, it was reported that during this one incident, the offender punched the victim in the face, pulled her hair out, choked her and threatened to kill her.
Through these and other types of abuse, victims are explicitly both shown and told that, if they do not take sides with their offender and submit to him, they or the people they love will be punished or killed. Many victims also have the experience of asking for help in the past from different individuals or systems and being denied it. For these reasons, victims may have huge incentive to make recommendations in court that pacify their offenders temporarily, but are in the long term not best for their safety or the safety of others.
That is in part why the state, rather than the victims, brings charges against offenders of domestic violence. It would be hugely dangerous to expect victims to confront their abusers in this manner. But just as the state brings the charges, it is up to the state, rather than the victim, to make a fair ruling.
When offenders of domestic violence are put in jail, victims have the chance to find other resources to support themselves, both emotionally and financially. But if the cycle of violence is not broken or interrupted, abuse tends to get worse and more lethal over time.
Romero's public court record shows he is not new to the legal system. Since 2001, he has accumulated numerous violent felony charges. When will the Court stand up against this repeat offender?
By Judge Vigil offering this violent perpetrator probation, he and all other offenders of domestic violence were sent the message that the court will not respond with jail time for a near-fatal assault, as long as it is against an intimate partner or family member.
We feel great empathy for the law-enforcement agents, DA's office and health-care workers who used their resources and were instrumental in attempting to bring this man to justice. Our greatest empathy is toward his wife and children and their continued danger.
Sherry Taylor is the executive director of Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families, Inc., in Santa Fe.
