Domestic violence solutions must be a priority for N.C.
Wednesday, November 29th, 2006
By Chris Fitzsimon
The death of Bonnie Woodring has brought several initiatives for consideration by the North Carolina General Assembly. Two in particular have potential to avert future domestic killings.
Woodring died Sept. 18 when her shotgun-wielding husband forced his way into a Sylva women’s shelter.
Shortly afterward, several legislative suggestions were brought forth by Michael Bonfoey, district attorney for the state’s seven westernmost counties. Western North Carolina lawmakers plan to introduce a similar list when the General Assembly convenes next year.
Education a key
Perhaps the best of the ideas is a mandate that public schools, community colleges and universities include domestic-violence prevention in their curricula. This is especially important in the lower grades. Children should learn at an early age that violence is not the way to settle a family argument.
“If we can teach a child early on that this kind of behavior is unacceptable, then when they see it in the home they will know it’s wrong,” said Rep. Wilma Sherrill, R-Buncombe, sponsor of a 2004 law that mandated a study of the issue.
She said studies of offenders show “they learned it from their dad or they learned it from their mom.” (more…)
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