MU, CPD work together to fight domestic abuse

Free counseling services are offered on-campus.

By Laura Swan

Published Feb. 20, 2009

Domestic assault reports are continuing at a steady rate, Columbia Police Department Sgt. Ken Hammond said.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol recorded 557 domestic violence incident reports in Columbia in 2008, according to its Web site.

CPD, the MU Police Department and organizations around Columbia are working to combat domestic abuse.

Hammond is the supervisor of the Domestic Violence Enforcement Unit for the Columbia Police Department.

"DOVE is based on a team philosophy," Hammond said. "Detectives are assigned domestic violence or family cases and they stay with the case through the investigation."

With this focus on team and cooperation, CPD Capt. Zim Schwartze said this unit is unique.

DOVE works with parole officers, the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney and the Boone County Sheriff's Department to make arrests, and agencies such as The Shelter offer assistance and make sure there are consequences for domestic abuse.

The Shelter is an emergency center for women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, program director Donna Ostercamp said. The center helps CPD by offering crisis intervention services, referrals and other help.

Other than The Shelter, the Family Counseling Center of Missouri offers a safe environment and support for residents suffering through domestic abuse.

Susan Schopflin, quality improvement director for the center, said it consists of three residential units, seven outpatient centers and operates a prevention program which focuses on drug and alcohol abuse prevention and self-esteem issues.

The prevention program includes a dating education program at Jefferson Junior High School as well as sexual assault education and self-defense training.

"There are so many different levels of abuse," Schopflin said. "So many people think there's only physical and sexual abuse, but the most common kind around is emotional abuse."

Emotional abuse can be exerted through neglect, demeaning language or overbearing control such as not allowing a person access to money or setting a strict schedule for someone, Schopflin said.

MUPD Capt. Brian Weimer said if abuse is a student-against-student issue within control of residential life, then MUPD will work with staff to resolve the issue.

"Students will also go through the university discipline process," Weimer said. "And that's not just for domestic assault, that's for all crimes."

MU students can get free counseling through the Counseling Center in Parker Hall. The Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center in Memorial Union also offers advice and aid for students who experience domestic abuse, either directly or indirectly. Students can also get free consultations through MU Student Legal Services.