U.S. Attorney Will Thompson Affirms Commitment to Goals of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Each October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) provides an opportunity to honor victims and survivors and recognize the dedication of advocates, service providers, justice professionals, law enforcement officers, and first responders who tirelessly work in support of survivors.

The prevalence of domestic, dating and intimate partner violence is alarming. Approximately one in four women and one in seven men will experience severe domestic violence in their lifetimes. Nearly 20 percent of all violent crime is categorized as domestic violence, as revealed by the 2021 National Crime Victimization Survey data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

“Domestic violence affects us all personally in some way, and can have long-lasting impacts and consequences,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson. “As federal prosecutors in the Southern District of West Virginia, it is incumbent upon us to deploy every available resource and forge strategic collaborations with local law enforcement and fellow prosecutors. We have a shared responsibility to ensure that victims have a viable path to safety and justice.”

Thompson is promoting the importance of enforcing federal firearm prohibitions as part of the observance of DVAM.

Domestic violence abusers with access to a gun are five times more likely to kill their partners. In West Virginia, 14 of the 19 domestic violence homicides reported in 2020 were committed with firearms. In addition to their lethality, firearms are used by abusers to inflict fear, intimidation, and coercive control.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative helps support survivors and prevent this form of violence. PSN is a nationwide initiative that connects federal, state and local law enforcement, prosecutors, and community leaders. The result is a collaborative approach to identifying the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and developing comprehensive solutions to address them.

Under federal law, offenders with domestic violence misdemeanor and felony convictions and those subject to domestic violence protective orders are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms. Those who violate that prohibition face felony prosecution and the imposition of a federal prison sentence.

“A crucial part of combatting domestic violence and reducing violent crimes includes enforcing federal firearm prohibitions,” Thompson said. “We want our communities to know that we are here to support victims and survivors in the Southern District of West Virginia, and not just in October but every month.”

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence or need resources, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/local-resources.

Immediate help for domestic violence victims: Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (@ndvhofficial) at 1-800-799-7233 or Strong Hearts Native Helpline (@strongheartsdv) at 1-844-762-8483.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

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