According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
Sadly, most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police.
Not only did Lavere Pierre call the police, but she obtained at least 12 restraining orders against her husband Derick Pierre.
Lavere was nearly killed by Derick. The attack was so brutal, police charged her husband with attempted murder. Unfortunately, the city cut a deal with her husband and he received the minimum of four years in prison. Derick is now out on parole.
Pierre’s story is emotional and sheds light on why she feels the justice system failed her. Her scars and tears are nothing compared to the life long impact the abuse has on her two young children.
Dr. Gila Carle said, “We have to teach children it’s OK to get angry but also how to deal with that anger.”
An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.
Brooklyn has the highest number of complaints and arrests in 2014 with over 18,000 complaints and only 12,000 arrests.
Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson said, “We have 2.5 Million people in Brooklyn and we have also been on the forefront of fighting domestic violence.”
The Justice Department’s Officer of Violence Against Women has awarded a grant to the Brooklyn DA’s office, only four jurisdictions were selected around the country for the grant.
DA Thompson said the grant will allow him to focus on the most at risk victims and identify what is going on before it’s too late. It is called the Domestic Violence Homicide Prevention Initiative.
Pierre, lives in Bronx and she is still trying to finalize a divorce with Pierre, custody of the children and possibly splitting the family home.