Two high-profile cases in the news underscore how the dangers of domestic violence can escalate into a deadly situation. Jennifer Martel, 27 — a young woman with ties to Fall River, Westport and Taunton — was killed at her Waltham home Thursday after being stabbed multiple times, allegedly by Jared Remy, her live-in boyfriend and her daughter's father.
Police say that Jared Remy, 34, has a long history of domestic violence, both in his relationship with Martel and with previous women. On Wednesday, Jared Remy had been released on personal recognizance in an open assault and battery case involving Martel, although there was no active restraining order.
Martel's family said that Jared Remy's relatives had persuaded her not to file a permanent restraining order, and she did not appear for a court hearing when a temporary order expired. For his part, Jerry Remy said Saturday he could not describe his "disgust and remorse" over the situation. "Son or not, I am at loss for words articulating my disgust and remorse over this senseless and tragic act," Remy wrote through his Twitter account. There are many victims in this tragedy.
Just days earlier, in Johnston, R.I., a Providence man was charged with killing two women — his girlfriend, Evelyn Burgos, and her daughter, Vanessa Perez — at Burgos' Johnston home, and abducting Perez' 2-year-old son.
It's not just the victims' families and friends that can help break the cycle of domestic violence. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly one-third of female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner. Batterers' family members or friends should also recognize the warning signs and intervene, by encouraging abusers to seek the counseling they need to before their troubling behavior takes a deadly turn.
In the case of Burgos and Perez, Burgos had started the process of getting a restraining order against the murder suspect, 28-year-old Daniel Rodriguez. But sheriff's deputies were unable to deliver the restraining order to Rodriguez. Perez, 25, had decided to sleep at her mother's house the night in an attempt to keep her safe.
Both cases show that domestic violence incidents and the way they are handled can become a matter of life and death. Families and friends can play a role in helping victims identify the warning signs and escape a dangerous situation — with the help of professionals who can help protect all involved.
Ultimately, it is up to the victim of domestic violence to get away from a dangerous situation. But many are afraid. Fortunately, there are a variety of domestic violence hotlines, centers, shelters and resources that can help protect victims and help them navigate the road ahead. Nothing will bring these victims back, but perhaps the best way to honor their memory is to help ensure that other domestic violence victims do not meet the same tragic fate.
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