Domestic Violence in Lexington: Progress Amid Challenges

Increased Awareness and Advocacy

Lexington, Kentucky experienced a haunting peak in domestic homicides in 2022, leading to increased advocacy and awareness about the issue. Survivors like Brianna May highlight the severity and pervasiveness of this problem. She escaped a deeply abusive relationship, moving cross-country from California to Kentucky with her then 18-month-old son, pregnant and looking for safe refuge. The GreenHouse 17 offered her the sanctuary she needed at the time.

“I left a relationship, an extremely abusive relationship”, May confessed, revealing the details of her perilous journey towards recovery. “When you think about the butterfly and the crystals, it’s in total darkness alone, and that’s how it felt. It feels like that for a lot of domestic violence survivors”, she added, analogizing her situation to a cocooned butterfly poised for metamorphosis.

Improved Legislation and Action

In response to the alarming rates of domestic violence, the Kentucky legislature passed Senate Bill 271 in 2022, aiming to improve the tracking of domestic violence incidents in the state. Subsequently, agencies like KSP, the Administration of the Courts, and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services were required to report their data to Zero V annually, starting July 1, 2023.

In Lexington, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition revamped its fatality reviews and hired a full-time coordinator to liaise children impacted by domestic violence to beneficial resources. A task force consisting of individuals, public and private groups, and agencies helped monitor protective orders and launched the “It’s Time” public awareness campaign.

Challenges

Despite the promising steps taken, numerous challenges remain. First, the novelty of the tracking system hinders comparative data analysis. Furthermore, persistent funding issues limit the resources and services that supporting agencies can afford, especially as the incidences of domestic violence continue to surge.

The Office of Crime Victims revealed a steady decline in deposits to the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) since 2018. This shrinkage has in turn strained the ability of service centers like the Sunshine Center in Frankfort to provide comprehensive services for victims.

The process of obtaining a protective order also presents significant hurdles for victims. Brianna May recalls having to convince court officers that her situation warranted protection— a sentiment shared by many survivors who often have to provide painstaking evidence of the dangers they face.

Facing Forward

Brianna May’s tale is a testament to the resilience of survivors. Through her jewelry business, As You Wish Gemstones, she creates unique pieces representing her journey, shedding light on her experiences and advocating for domestic violence victims.

Progress has been made, but the issue of domestic violence in Lexington is far from resolute. The community must continue to champion for robust structures and systems that adequately support victims and help diminish the incidence of domestic violence.