Abuse Victims Need Better Help

On Feb. 17 Denise Laverne Smith lost her life to domestic violence; she was stabbed to death in her Northeast Washington home. Her former boyfriend, Jerrold E. Vincent, was charged with first-degree murder.

Ms. Smith's murder might have been averted if swift, forceful and consistent action had been brought to bear against her alleged killer, a violent criminal with a lengthy police record. Protecting victims of domestic abuse requires the unwavering commitment of law enforcement officers, judges, victims' advocates and even the media.

Mr. Vincent has a criminal record dating to 1979. His dozens of arrests include charges of violent assault, larceny, drug possession, shoplifting and unlawful entry. His court-documented history of assaulting and abusing Ms. Smith dates to 2002 and includes convictions for charges related to domestic violence against her. In connection with five charges stemming from assaults on Ms. Smith in July and August 2002, Mr. Vincent received only 140 days of jail time. When Ms. Smith was killed, Mr. Vincent was roaming free despite a bench warrant for his arrest for failure to appear in court.

A community's response to domestic violence must hold abusers accountable for their actions swiftly and without compromise. It is not enough for a system to work well some of the time. Nor is it enough for parts of that system to uphold laws protecting victims only some of the time. We all must do everything within our power to protect victims of domestic violence all of the time. Otherwise, someone pays for that failure with her life.

KENNETH E. NOYES

Co-Executive Director

D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Washington