Agencies hook up to study family violence in Griffin Judicial Circuit

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Local and area officials who assist victims of family violence and prosecute offenders are working together to help improve the process and identify related needs for the four counties in the Griffin Judicial Circuit, which includes Fayette County.

At an organizational meeting of a new task force on domestic violence Wednesday, officials brought up several concepts to explore in the future, including:

An emergency shelter for victims to serve Pike, Spalding and Upson counties that would also serve Fayette residents. All four counties are part of the Griffin Judicial Circuit and the state has expressed an interest in financially supporting such a shelter. Fayette residents use other nearby shelters on an emergency basis although there is not one located here.

Increasing public awareness about domestic violence and seeking support from local governing bodies.

More education and training for law enforcement and judicial officials on family violence cases.

Evaluating current resources available to victims and developing more programs, including counseling to children who are affected by family violence.

The task force includes representatives of Fayette County's law enforcement, judicial, victim's advocate and counseling agencies and their counterparts in Pike, Spalding and Upson counties.

Fayette County Superior Court Judge Tommy Hankinson, who organized the meeting, said he felt the counties could work together for certain projects that they would unlikely be able to accomplish on their own. He particularly supported the idea of creating an emergency shelter to serve the judicial circuit.

"We have a much better opportunity to do that working as a group," Hankinson said.

Bonnie Campbell of the Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence said officials with the Georgia Department of Community Health have said they can provide funds for a shelter to serve the Pike-Spalding-Upson area. Fayette residents could also use such a shelter as they use other facilities in adjacent counties, Campbell noted.

The task force should also consider finding a way to improve access to legal advice for victims who can't afford their own attorneys, said Damon Sanderson, assistant solicitor-general for Fayette County.

Campbell agreed that some victims can't afford legal representation although legal advocates currently assist victims with obtaining temporary restraining orders free of charge.

Hankinson noted that all Georgia attorneys are required to do pro bono work and it might be good to seek the help of the Fayette County Bar Association in devising such a system.

Peachtree City Police Chief James Murray suggested that the task force elicit support from local governments by asking them to pass a resolution supporting the task force. The political support would also help when funds are necessary to implement certain initiatives, Murray added.

Getting the word out about domestic violence is also crucial, Murray said.

"It's one of the most important issues when it comes to violence growing in communities," Murray said. "... I can see that we're having more problems with it."