The murder of Doreen Malek on Friday January 8th in Londonderry is the first intimate partner homicide in New Hampshire of 2010. Sadly Pelham New Hampshire native Karen Leduc was also attacked by her partner in Lowell, Massachusetts the very next day, she succumbed to her injuries and passed away several days later. These deaths remind us that we have a long way to go before the granite state is free from violence in the home.
The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is concerned that so early into 2010 we are already seeing domestic violence homicides. While law enforcement continues its investigation to determine the events that led up to these murders, the very act of murdering one’s intimate partner constitutes domestic violence homicide.
These homicides are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the impact that domestic violence has in New Hampshire. Every year thousands of victims seek services from the Coalition’s 14 member programs located across the state. In addition prevalence studies conducted by the Coalition found that one in three women and one in four men report being physically assaulted by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.
It should not be underestimated the impact that these murders have on victims who are currently in an abusive relationship. This news may only reinforce what their partner has already told them, the familiar refrain, “If I can’t have you no one can. If you leave I will kill you.” It is important that these victims know what resources are available in their community. A listing of all 14 member programs of the Coalition is available at www.nhcadsv.org/crisis_centers, in addition anyone can call the 24 hour statewide hotline 1-866-644-3574 to be connected to their local program.
You do not have to be in crisis to call. At times like this we particularly want to reach out to the family and friends who know a loved one experiencing violence but aren’t sure how to help. We encourage you to call one of our 24 hour hotlines to get help on how to start the conversation. It’s confidential, it’s anonymous, and it just might save a life.
By working together as a community we can send the message that domestic violence will not be tolerated and that victims will be supported.
