Threatened Lives

To the Editor:

Once again, sadly, another domestic violence murder has occurred in Connecticut. On Labor Day, Rose Conrad of Griswold was killed by her estranged husband in front of her children. He then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide. Rose Conrad was a battered woman. All the warning signs were there: as reported, her husband accused her of having affairs, did not allow her to call friends, stalked her on her job, and threatened to kill her.

Every day, thousands of women and children in our communities are under threat in their own homes. Every nine seconds a woman in the United States is physically abused, and domestic violence accounts for more than 50 percent of female homicides. One in three woman will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and is terrorized by the person closest to her — her intimate partner.

Additional warning signs for extreme danger include threatening to harm the children, family pets, or himself/herself, sexual violence, access to weapons and disregard for the law or the consequences of his/her actions.

There is help for anyone who suspects he/she may be in an abusive or violent situation. Support for anyone experiencing domestic violence is the top priority of Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, Inc. The center assists with safety planning and provides a wide range of confidential services.

Get help. Get answers. Get involved. Help someone you care about. For assistance or more information about our domestic violence services please call our Domestic Violence Hotline at 731-5206.

Patricia A. Zachman

Executive Director

Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, Inc

West Street, Danbury                                            September 14, 2004