The Herald-News - News Story

The numbers of reported cases in domestic violence, assault and harassment have gone up in the last year, according to the 2009 statistics compiled by the Rhea County Domestic Violence Council, but officials and volunteers are implementing unique programs to help both victims and abusers.

In instances of domestic verbal assault, numbers have risen from 2008's 165 reported cases to 2009's 194. Cases involving domestic violence/assault went from 140 to 163.

Reports of sex-related offenses went up slightly, from 31 cases in 2008 to 34 cases in 2009, though the number of reported cases of rape went down in the last year from 17 to 4.

Domestic harassing threats in 2009 numbered 443, up 20 from the year before. Domestic harassing phone calls went the same route, up 28.

Rita McNaught, volunteer executive director and court advocate for the Rhea County Domestic Violence Council has called it a "complicated issue."

"I don't really know if [the increase in numbers] is a result of more awareness," McNaught said. "Part of it is that people are more aware that domestic violence can be not only physical abuse, but psychological and verbal as well."

As a court advocate, McNaught deals regularly with victims of abuse requesting orders of protection, and she's committed herself to provide avenues of hope to the abused in Rhea County.

"I let them know what is available to them and give them information about what domestic abuse really is," she said. "Or, if someone needs to get out [of a situation], I make phone calls to local shelters in Cleveland or Chattanooga."

McNaught emphasized that positively influencing children was crucial to stopping the cycle of abuse in the community.

"Some teens don't know what a good relationship is," Mcnaught said. "We need to start early with programs in elementary schools to help students identify what's appropriate and what's not. [Abuse] is cyclical. If you don't get to the root of the problem, it's going to continue and not go away."

McNaught has worked hard to start a support group for victims of abuse and is trying to provide a local 24/7 hotline, but these take money and volunteers' time.

"It's a problem within the county that needs our attention," said McNaught. "United Way has been generous in supporting us, but we also need support through different churches and other organizations. There are lots of things we could do if we had the support of the community."

For the Domestic Violence Council, it's not just the victims they're concerned about; they want to help the abusers too.

Detective Rocky Potter, domestic violence crime investigator for Rhea County Sheriff's Department, has played an integral part in one of Rhea County's unique programs since
2003.

"We were getting all these domestic assaults and arrests, and then the aggressor would not be allowed around the victim," said Potter. "But sometimes [the instance of abuse] is a one-time deal and the family wants to get back together."

If that's the case, said Potter, then the court can decide to pass over the case for a six-month trial period. During those months, the family can continue to live together, but the aggressor must attend an anger management class, as well as any other needed correctional courses
for drug or alcohol addictions.

Potter pays random visits to the home at least once every month to check up on the individuals, and if at the end of the six months no arrests or reports have been made, the judge will drop the case.

"It works out pretty good," said Potter. "It's gotten to be such a big program now, and Rhea County's the only one that does this."

Potter concentrates the majority of his time going after cases of child abuse and domestic violence, and he agrees that peoples' awareness of the domestic violence hotline, even though it's a national, not local line, has helped more cases of abuse be reported.

The 24/7 hotline can be reached at 1-877-237-0004. The Rhea County Domestic Violence Council is offering a free support group for victims of domestic violence on Thursday evenings beginning Feb. 4. The group will meet from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. and will provide free childcare.
To register, call 775-4514 or email rcdvcinfo@yahoo.com.

"Sometimes people don't understand that it's not always easy for a victim to leave a situation when there are children involved," said McNaught. "It's not that simple. Economics, education and jobs are factors, and it's not so easy just to walk away. That's why it's important to provide as many services as we can locally."

Elisabeth Hollingsworth can be reached at elisabeth.hollingsworth@rheaheraldnews.com.