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NFL star Ray Rice’s assault of his-then fiancée, now wife, has brought a spotlight on domestic violence. He is not the first high profile person who has abused his partner. Domestic violence is an issue that affects people from every walk of life, income bracket and community.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time when advocates work to raise the profile of this issue. They also highlight the warning signs of domestic abuse and ways for victims to seek help.
Far too many women are physically assaulted by an intimate partner each year in Minnesota and across the country. This year, there have not been any homicides directly linked with domestic violence in Hennepin County. While some luck is involved, this may also be due to the work of the county attorney’s office and our partners. We know there have been many incidents that could have escalated to murder.
“It’s a major problem, one of those where we see only the tip of the iceberg,” Freeman said. “Tragically, too often we see cases after they have proceeded beyond mere hitting, slight injuries, until they are serious injuries. All the studies I’ve ever read said we can do something best about domestic violence if we intervene early.”
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911
- Call the Domestic Abuse Service Center at 612-348-5073 or 612-348-2620 (TDD) or visit the center on the A Level of Hennepin County Government Center
- Call the Minnesota Domestic Violence Crisis Line 24 hours a day at 1-866-223-1111
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has worked hard on reducing domestic violence and protecting its victims for more than two decades. In fact, 2014 is the 20th anniversary of the Domestic Abuse Service Center, a nationally-recognized model for service delivery.
The center provides victims of domestic violence access to the legal assistance and social services they need. You can file for an order for protection, learn about your rights, create a safety plan, apply for temporary housing and get other information from advocates on site. The staff is ethnically and culturally diverse and many advocates are bi-lingual.
Learn more about the center and its services.
The Fourth Precinct Court Watch is hosting a series of forums about the juvenile justice system. The first meeting is next Wednesday, October 22nd from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Fourth Precinct, 1925 Plymouth Ave N.
Representatives from the Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Attorney, Hennepin County Probation and the Juvenile Supervision Center will discuss specific rules and criteria about juveniles and the criminal justice system from police interactions through prosecution.
Dan Arlen Anderson, a former teacher, pleaded guilty to a single count of felony stalking for aggressively pursuing a 17-year-old student in his Minneapolis South High School class. Anderson, 46, of Oakdale, will be sentenced on Jan. 6.
Under the sentencing guidelines, Anderson would receive probation. Prosecutors will ask for five years on probation and for him to serve some jail time. He also must undergo a psychosexual evaluation and enroll in any recommended sex offender treatment. Prosecutors also will request that Anderson register as a sex offender as part of his sentence and seek conditions that make it difficult for him to hold a position of authority over children. Read more about this case.
The two owners of C & S Electric Co. were accused of failing to pay employees the prevailing wage and pocketing the difference.
Thomas Robert Clifton, 50, of Lake Elmo and Earl Keith Standafer, 57, of Burnsville were each charged with one count of theft by swindle over $35,000. The swindle was perpetrated against the general contractor, but it was the electricians who were shortchanged. Both men are scheduled to make their first court appearance on Oct. 21.
Read the criminal complaints and watch video of the news conference about these charges.
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