Domestic Abuse Prevention

About Our Lion Term

Our Lion Term concept is to study public policy surrounding domestic abuse, including the legislative, law enforcement, and judicial systems. Our plan is to meet with legislators, law enforcement officers, and public advocates—as well as potentially speak with victims regarding their experiences with public policy (if they are willing and comfortable)—throughout Boston and the greater Boston area. We want to focus on how public policy affects female victims, but also want to explore how public policy also affects children in households where there is domestic abuse. We chose this topic because it is an issue that is prominent in America today, but it is not touched upon frequently, especially by high school students. To study this would be an intriguing and enlightening experience that would make us more aware of the issues that many face today.

Some essential questions that we hope to answer are: what support systems for domestic abuse survivors are already in place in the legal system? How are abusers punished? What laws are in place regarding domestic abuse and why were they created? What laws/punishments can be put in place to act as a deterrent for abusers (prevention)? Why don’t more survivors come forward/prosecute against their abuser? How do police departments receive and act upon reports of domestic abuse?

Catherine Pellini

Logistics Manager

Although I worked with the organization “Second Step” last year during LT, it was focused primarily on the care for the individuals as opposed to the legal mechanisms for investigating, punishing and preventing domestic abuse. During this time, I hope to combine two topics that I find extremely interesting (law and support systems for domestic abuse survivors) to explore and learn more about how the legal system handles and helps survivors. I am also interested in exploring how perpetrators are prosecuted and punished. This is a topic that is not often recognized or acknowledged as a problem in our society, and I believe that it will be interesting to dive deeper into a topic this is frequently viewed as “taboo.” I also hope to learn more about these topics as part of my larger goal of introducing/refining the topic of “healthy relationships” into the NRS/PDG curriculum. One of my concerns going into this is that the people that we hope to speak to are either not going to be willing or not going to be available to discuss this topic in as much depth as we would like. I am also concerned that we will not find many support/legal systems that are easily accessible in the timeframe that we are provided.

Skylar Davis

Documentation Manager

I find this concept intriguing in that information about domestic abuse is rarely circulated in the general media. I’ve always found legal matters interesting, and I think exploring the legislative and judicial systems regarding a topic that affects many women across the country (and is often seen as “taboo”) will be incredibly eye-opening. Domestic abuse is a sensitive matter for anyone who has experienced it, and I hope to learn more about what legal and judicial policies (or lack of them) have been established, as well as how the perpetrators are prosecuted and how systems have been set up to support the children of domestic abuse victims. Although domestic abuse is the most severe end of the spectrum, toxic relationships are more commonplace, whether the people in the relationship realize their own toxicity or not. No matter what is discovered, I think learning about how these situations are handled will be interesting, and I think it will be fascinating to see to what extent the law truly helps victims. One of my concerns going into this is that we might not find as many support systems as we expect. Additionally, considering the severity and sensitivity of domestic abuse, I think it would be unsettling to discover a lack of strong legal policies surrounding victims and perpetrators.

Lydia Rascher

Master of Rituals & Routines

I am interested in this concept because I find social issues to be something that is intriguing. I think it’s important for me to understand how life is different than mine, and how I can help people in them if I can (and how they can help me as well). In addition, laws are complex but important for me to learn, and having those work so intimately with something like domestic abuse, which impacts so many people but is not in the media that much, is something that I think can enlighten me and teach me about life and make me a better citizen in the future. For this project, I want to be someone who can contribute through having a good attitude and a good work ethic. My fear is that I will do this and not take enough away from such a rewarding experience. Also, I want to make sure that I don’t worry just about how others will see our presentation, but I want to also place a large emphasis for myself in actually being empathic and understanding that we will be working on issues that have affected people’s lives, and not in a very positive way, and that I need to remain attentive to that.

5/23, The Second Step

On May 23, we will met with members of the Second Step community—a group of survivors, advocates, and volunteers—to learn more about how the organization supports survivors of domestic abuse.

5/28, Sen. Montigny

On May 28, we will meet with Mr. Djingo at the Boston State House. We are meeting with him on behalf of Senator Montigny, a representative who passed a petition meant to support domestic abuse survivors.

5/28, DCF

Later that afternoon, we hope to meet with the Department of Children and Families to learn more about how domestic abuse affects children and what policies are in place to support these children.

5/29, DA Supervisor

On May 29, we will meet with Eddie K. at the Worcester Courthouse. Eddie Kay is the domestic abuse supervisor in Worcester.

5/29, Shrewsbury Police

Later that afternoon, we are also meeting with Detective Sergeant Michael Cappuchi of the Shrewsbury Police to learn more about how the police force handles calls regarding domestic abuse.

5/30, Margo Lindauer

On May 30, we will meet with Margo Lindauer, who is the director of the Domestic Violence Institute and Domestic Violence Clinic at Northeastern University.

Team Norms and Expectations

Consult the rest of the group before taking action
As a group, do prior research and draft a plan regarding interview questions (participation and engagement)
Always arrive to meetings on time (whether group meetings or meetings with organizations or officials)
Keep a more formal dress code in mind depending on where the group is going

Report abuse