‘The first step is to help yourself’

Martin said these incidents can highlight both what the community can do to help victims, and what victims can do to help themselves.

‘‘Generally, incidents of domestic violence can come with a sense of guilt or shame ... but some may see [these incidents] and feel that they are not alone,” she said. ‘‘... We may see folks reach out who may not have done so before.”

Local law enforcement agencies are doing their part to connect Heartly House and other agencies with victims of domestic violence as well.

This summer, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office adopted a ‘‘lethality assessment” tool to use with victims of domestic violence who call authorities.

The 11-question screening, developed by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, helps predict potentially deadly situations by asking specific questions including whether or not the perpetrator of violence has a gun, has choked his or her victim or has issued a death threat to an intimate partner.

Deputies call domestic violence counselors at the scene if answers to questions point to a serious problem and provide an instant opportunity for the victim to speak to someone who can help. The victim can either accept or deny that help.

Carrie Payne, victim⁄witness coordinator for the sheriff’s office, said that since June, the office has conducted 165 screenings and opened more avenues of awareness for victims and deputies.

‘‘We tell them that it doesn’t mean [a lethal incident] will happen ... but there is evidence there based on people in similar situations,” she said. ‘‘Giving them assistance on the scene or shortly thereafter can lower the rate of homicides.”

In 2003, the Frederick Police Department piloted the lethality assessment tool to help streamline the questionnaire, but are not among the 46 law enforcement agencies in Maryland currently using it.

Police Chief Kim C. Dine said he hopes to bring it back soon.

‘‘I think our folks are well-trained and a lot of the questions they are asking anyway ... but this process does a little better job putting people with services and being more frank about the violence they might suffer,” he said.

According to the Maryland Network for Against Domestic Violence, 1,839 lethality screens were given in 2006. Of those screens, 54 percent of victims were found at high risk and 54 percent of those people chose to speak with a counselor at the scene.

‘‘The numbers are promising,” said Michaele Cohen, the network’s executive director. ‘‘... We think this can have incredible implications. If we can reach these folks, we might reach those who otherwise would never reach out.”

Rosario Garcia, coordinator of the Frederick Police Department’s Victim Services Unit, said her job is to reach all victims of domestic abuse and help them escape a life of violence.

Part of that escape is providing options, from a court protective order to an emergency cell phone or body alarm, but it is up to the victim to accept the help.

‘‘The first thing I tell victims is to understand ‘commitment,’” she said. ‘‘Will you commit for yourself and your child to move on to a future without violence? I can’t tell you how many times that question is met with silence and that is sobering. The first step is to help yourself.”

Cohen said that a key part of the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence is to work with those beyond law enforcement to make sure everyone knows how to get domestic violence victims the help they need.

Both the network and Frederick’s Heartly House provide training to health care providers, the business community, clergy and anyone else who can be proactive in helping.

‘‘In an ideal world, no matter who a victim tells, everyone involved would be alert, aware and concerned,” Cohen said.