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Domestic Violence Victim Suffers Broken Jaw After Seeking Help
21 Nov
Summary
- A woman sought help for domestic violence but ended up with a broken jaw.
- Police intervention during a wellness check led to the victim's injuries.
- Experts cite inadequate police training in handling abuse victims.
A woman's call for assistance to escape domestic violence tragically resulted in a broken jaw and other injuries after police intervention. She had contacted a health network seeking a safe place, not a detox program. When officers arrived for a wellness check, she expressed discomfort with male officers and feeling unsafe, indicating a need for specialized handling.
Despite her distress and expressed wishes, police detained her under the Mental Health Act and transported her to a hospital. There, she sustained her injuries while being taken to a seclusion room. Experts, including a sociology professor specializing in intimate partner violence, have criticized the response as potentially lacking trauma-informed care and treating a victim like a criminal.
The incident has sparked debate on police training and protocols for domestic violence and mental health calls. While police stated all policies were followed, advocates emphasize the need for improved responses to ensure victims feel safe and supported, rather than re-traumatized or criminalized. This case is seen as a call for better systemic approaches.
