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| THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE... A WOMAN IS BEATEN EVERY NINE SECONDS IN THIS COUNTRY... SPOUSAL MURDERS ACCOUNT FOR ONE EIGHTH OF ALL HOMICIDES IN THE US... NEARLY ALL THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE WOMEN... BATTERED WOMEN COME FROM ALL RACES, CLASSES, AGE GROUPS, EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS. (p. 2) |
The Safehouse
By T. Thomas Ackerman
It’s been several days since I finished The Safehouse and yet the dramatic irony of this novel haunts me. It is unsettling that I cannot find a satisfactory conclusion, a feeling that this story has ended. Perhaps it was that the author wrote in what might be used in a true crime novel—concise, straight-forward, factual manner, with little strong emotional impact at appropriate times...
In the midst of anguish and turmoil, the fear and h
ate that develops during violent attacks, there is only time for emotional reaction. But once away from the abuse, what then?
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| "No!" Alison shouted as she put one arm over her eyes and started to cry. Then he slapped her face. "Don't let me find out that you are!" he hollered as he got up... "Please God, no," she said as she continued to cry. After a few seconds she turned and opened the drawer to her nightstand. Out of it she took the card that Jessie had given her. |
Detective Jessie Warren is a cop assigned as liaison for all domestic issues. Having her own personal history of an abusive relationship, she has become a vigilant advocate for women and children and faithfully attends to their needs.
Domestic violence normally is an ongoing activity. Often Jessie has been called to a home a number of times, and becomes familiar with the families involved. She helps make arrangements and provides everything necessary to get women and children to a shelter, to court... But, sometimes she gets there too late...
Sometimes after a wife has left, the husband will begin to follow until they find where they are staying. It is at that time that Jessie discusses the need to move on to The Safehouse...
Domestic Violence, as shown in these drawings that are now in the public domain has been going on for ages...This crime is not new. "With all of the increased public awareness, the domestic violence occurrences never seemed to lessen. It always seemed...that the number of incidents increased. The laws and all the promises weren't working, at least not for the victims. It was clear...that if any of these women were ever going to have a chance at a normal life, she [Jessie] would have to help them find it, no matter what that would involve."
The Safehouse is not the normal type of shelter. Few people ever stay there. Anybody who follows visitors there will never abuse anybody else... Is this the only way to end domestic violence? Many may think so...
This book should be considered must reading for all court officials, police officers, and legislators. Do we, as a nation, as a world, want to see The Safehouse truly being the only answer? I hope not...
But...you and each person reading this book will have to decide... You know, I watch Law & Order, SVU all the time and have often sympathized with the officers who must deal with this issue day after day... Until I read this book, I never knew that I could not, though, empathize with them...I hope I would not be Jessie...but...
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| After studying Alison's face for a few seconds more and then running a finger down the deceased woman's cheek, Jessie left. On her way back to the station she kept seeing Alison's face. It was obvious that this case was bothering her more than usual, more than other cases had bothered her. Maybe John Larsen reminded her of her husband. A man she once loved. A husband that she had to get rid of before she ended up like Alison... |
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