Jason Nagel, chief felony prosecutor for the Clermont County Prosecutor's Office addressed domestic violence and drug abuse during the first annual Domestic Violence Awareness Luncheon Oct. 14.

Jason Nagel, chief felony prosecutor for the Clermont County Prosecutor's Office addressed domestic violence and drug abuse during the first annual Domestic Violence Awareness Luncheon Oct. 14.
By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

The first annual Domestic Violence Awareness Luncheon touched on serious and important issues Oct. 14 at the Union Township Civic Center.

Stephanie Shoe, with the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, said the event was intended to be informative with speakers from the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office, local law enforcement agencies, the Clermont Recovery Center, and more.

A survivor of domestic violence, who requested to remain anonymous, told her story about drug abuse that eventually led to violence.

“It all started when my husband and I got into a car accident,” the survivor said. “We all survived the wreck, but it left my husband with a bad back. With his job being demanding, he went to the doctor and was prescribed narcotics.”

She said the narcotics led her husband to use heroin, and she eventually began using heroin as well.

She said the addiction soon led to crime and violence.

“Fighting and drugs is what our life became,” she said.

The survivor was able to get the help she needed to get sober, but she said her husband had a harder time and she realized she couldn’t stay with him while he was still using.

“I’ve been gone since June,” she said. “Leaving was the hardest choice I’ve had to make. The love we had was real, heroin tore us apart.”

A theme with several of the speakers during the luncheon was the connection between drug use and domestic violence.

Jason Nagel, chief felony prosecutor at the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office, said he has witnessed violence increase as drug use has increased Clermont County, and drug use has shifted from marijuana to methamphetamine, to heroin in the past 15 years.

“Overall violence has risen as heroin has increased in our county,” Nagel said.

Nagel said that during the addiction cycle, violence increases in the home. He said addicted individuals will steal from family members to pay for their next high and will also fight with family member who are trying to help them get over their addiction.

Nagel said law enforcement and court officials are working hard to hold addicted individuals accountable in the county, but he said breaking the addiction cycle is the solution that will ensure there are fewer victims of violence every year.

Lori Saylor, an investigator with the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, said that two years ago she received a call and responded to a domestic violence victim who was in the hospital.

“The female was beaten beyond recognition,” Saylor said.

Saylor said the victim was trying to hide the bruises that were all over her body, and despite being away from her abuser was still afraid.

“I was amazed the hold this boyfriend had on her,” Saylor said. “I was agitated leaving because she wouldn’t cooperate.”

Saylor said she was afraid of what would happen to the victim, but a week later the victim called and was finally ready to make a statement.

Saylor said the victim described the boyfriend hitting her and choking her to the point where she passed out several times.

Saylor said the victim went back and forth on whether or not to testify against her boyfriend, and finally did.

“He only got three years,” Saylor said.

Saylor said although it was a difficult case she feels fortunate she was able to be the investigator on the case.

“I feel fortunate I was able to see her transition from victim to survivor,” Saylor said. “My satisfaction came when she finally understood what happened to her was wrong.”

The luncheon was held in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. Everything Bagels and Laszlo’s Iron Skillet provided food for the event. There were also domestic violence resources available at the event. Shoe said they are hoping to make the luncheon an annual event.

For more information about domestic violence resources in Clermont County or Domestic Violence Awareness Month visit www.ywca.org/cincinnati.