Thanks to the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle for the recent excellent editorial entitled "Senseless Violence." The time has long passed for Wyoming to take a stand on domestic violence. Every year more than 3,000 cases of domestic violence are reported in this state, even though it is commonly recognized as the most under-reported crime.

Why are we writing about this issue? Domestic violence is a public health crisis. A World Health Organization study of 24,000 women around the world looked at this issue from a public health perspective. The study unmasked domestic violence as the source of numerous physical health ailments among victims. The study makes clear women are most at risk from physical violence in their own homes.

There is also a clear connection between mental health and substance abuse and domestic violence, but not in the way people may expect. A batterer’s violent acts toward a spouse or a child are not typically caused by his abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Instead, the scientific literature documents that violence contributes heavily to substance abuse and mental health problems among the victims. Some studies have concluded a quarter of all suicides among women are related to domestic violence. About a third of female addicts use alcohol or other dangerous drugs as a means of coping with spousal abuse. In addition, children exposed to violence in the home may suffer an array of emotional and physical health problems throughout their lives.

Other mental health diagnoses showing a strong connection to being victimized include post-traumatic stress syndrome, major depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and multiple personality disorders.

Each of these is serious enough to impair the ability of abused women to care for themselves and their children and to otherwise make good choices.

We agree with those who argue domestic violence exists as a major problem only in those communities who implicitly or explicitly tolerate such conduct. There are many ways for Wyoming to say, "No more!"

First, the legislature should consider requiring anyone convicted more than once of domestic violence be placed on a public registry in a manner similar to sex offenders. Young women, their families and the community have a need to know who these offenders are because they pose a clear and present danger in relationships. A person who does not get help dealing with anger after an initial conviction should not be permitted to remain anonymous. Naming repeat offenders in a public forum will send a strong message that this behavior will no longer be tolerated.

Second, Wyoming has demonstrated drug courts to be a highly successful way to treat criminal offenders who are addicted. It is time to put the lessons learned in those courts to work on domestic violence. One major reason victims are reluctant to report domestic violence is a lack of trust in the current court system to protect them. Across the country, communities are calling on judges to be more effective in protecting victims and holding batterers accountable. Domestic violence courts have proved effective in meeting both challenges.

While Wyoming courts order batterers to get treatment, domestic violence courts actually supervise them to assure compliance. Wyoming courts issue protective orders commanding offenders to stay away from victims. In domestic violence courts, the victims are actually protected because these courts monitor the offender. Victims’ rights and safety are the primary focus as the offender receives mental health, anger and substance abuse counseling. Domestic violence courts create a coordinated community response based on the reality of the threat to safety and the psychology of abusers.

Finally, all segments of our communities need to speak with a single voice. Business owners, pastors, medical professionals, educators, political leaders and other citizens should learn the signs of domestic violence, take a stand for victims’ safety and send a clear message that this behavior is unacceptable.

The more we learn about the psychological impact of domestic violence, the more we understand why victims are so often silent. However, the more we see of the victims, the less we understand the silence of the rest of us.