As candidate for Sheriff in Hardin County, Kentucky, one of my main priorities will be to fight domestic violence. Statistics across the nation show most family violence cases ending without conviction due to a lack of prompt support for the victim from the arresting agency.
As a result, many victims return to an abusive relationship and/or refuse to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. Such agencies must assess how they help victims of family violence and follow-through with related investigations.
Current practices include arresting the defendant, taking the victim’s statement, and then having an investigator follow-up weeks later – the latter of which being far from sufficient and unworthy of a community like Hardin County. Our community deserves a Sheriff’s Office that will promptly follow-up with victims, as well as connect them with the resources they need to recover, restore, and improve their lives. Our women, men, and children all deserve to feel safe and treated with respect.
In addressing family violence and supporting Hardin County families, I promise to:
- Make family violence investigations a priority.
- Implement a policy that requires prompt follow-up with victims.
- Inform victims about resources available to them in Hardin County.
- Require victim training for Sheriff’s Office employees.
I encourage you to share my message and platform with your family and friends. Together, we can make great things happen in Hardin County!
