New Program for Domestic Abuse Victims

Analysis:

The WXMI 17 story does a great job of not only representing the press conference, but of the issue of domestic violence as a whole. The story provided some statistical information on how serious the problem is, with data provided by the FBI and local law enforcement in Kent County. Then viewers heard from law enforcement, the company providing the safety devise, and someone from Safe Haven Ministries which provides programs and shelter for domestic violence victims. The channel 17 story was only 1:45, but was able to provide good information and a great deal of context to viewers as well as naming local agencies for more information.

Story:

WXMI 17 News reader – There is new help for victims of domestic abuse in Kent County. A silent alarm to police if a person is being attacked at home.

Reporter – The FBI estimates that a woman is battered every 15 seconds in this country. And Grand Rapids….

Police – …so far this year from January to June, the police have responded to over 1,300 calls of domestic assault and just over 180 of those involved weapons.

Reporter – Of those who work with abused women say the violence goes unseen because it’s done mostly behind closed doors.

Safe Haven Ministries – Almost all cases of domestic abuse happen in the home that the partners share.

Reporter – That’s why Jennifer Marcum with Safe Haven Ministries feels the abused women’s response emergency system, or AWARE can be the difference between life and death. It works in the home.

Safe Haven Ministries – The best place that we can protect women who are being abused is in their own homes.

Reporter – ADT Security Services provides the alerts free.

ADT Company representative – This pendant is connected to a full security system. When the button is pushed and someone feels that they are in immanent danger, it sends a silent alarm to ADT’s monitoring center.

Reporter – Then they call police. Marcum says AWARE makes domestic violence a priority for law agencies.

Safe Haven Ministries – The women who qualify for this program, they will be ear-marked through that system for the police to immediately respond.

Reporter – ADT staff say this program has saved over 30 women’s lives nationwide.

WXMI 17 News reader – The AWARE program is credited with saving a woman’s life in Calhoun County. You can learn more about it through the YWCA, Safe Haven Ministries or at WXMI.com.

Total time: 1 minute and 45 seconds