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Charlotte Talks: Domestic Violence Seen In String Of Murders

Davie Hinshaw / The Charlotte Observer

Monday, Jan. 22, 2018

Domestic violence is being called an "epidemic" in Charlotte, as was apparent in a string of domestic violence-related murders this month. Mike Collins talks with those on the front line of domestic violence.

Less than a month into 2018, Charlotte has already witnessed four murders. In each of the killings there was a thread of domestic violence.

The community was already coming off a year that saw the most murders in more than two decades, and close to a quarter of those homicides involved domestic violence. More than a third of the suspected killers had criminal records with domestic violence arrests.

On average, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police receive at least 35,000 domestic violence calls in a year. With domestic violence front and center in the recent murders, victims’ advocates anticipate more victims coming forward seeking help.

What help is available for those victims when they do speak up? How can law enforcement and the community better protect victims, and prevent attackers from even further violence?

GUESTS

Karen Parker, president and CEO, Safe Alliance

Ruth Glenn, president and CEO, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Sgt. Craig Varnum, supervises CMPD's domestic violence division

Donna Rainwater, assistant Mecklenburg County district attorney

Highlights from today's show

Donna Rainwater on how we address the issue of domestic violence:

what_to_do_.mp3

Sgt. Craig Varnum on how CMPD deals with cases of strangulation:

strangle_.mp3

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