Kristi Jena, director of the new Turning Pointe Domestic Services agency in Mason County, points to studies reporting the effects of domestic violence on children. One recent and somewhat controversial study shows 100 percent of children of victims are themselves suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Washington State's domestic violence laws are rated among the top six in the country by the Family Violence Prevention Fund in San Francisco, but that is small consolation to the friends and families of the 247 state residents killed in domestic violence attacks in the last decade. Over 14,000 Washingtonians were convicted of domestic violence charges last year. Enforcing domestic violence laws takes a high toll on policing agencies.
Situations involving family violence are very volatile and confusing.
Mason County Undersheriff Gary Crane describes these police calls as among the most dangerous that police are required to make. Sometimes you get out to the scene, and there are 30 or 40 people involved - each with a different opinion. The danger, Crane said, is especially high in Mason County, where a majority of households have guns. Because of the high risk in making these calls, police require back up by a second car, which puts a severe strain on resources. Looking at this week's graveyard schedule, I don't see any night when we have more than three or four officers on duty.