Lorraine T. Wachsman, Bridgewater, MA
According to Voices of Victims and Survivors: The 2010 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Intimate Partner Violence Narratives, a report from The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, on August 9, 2010, Lorraine T. Wachsman, 62, was in her apartment waiting for Eunice Fields to arrive for a meeting to discuss counseling. According to news reports, Wachsman was a mentor at a local Alcoholics Anonymous group which Fields attended. The women had known each other for over 15 years; they met through Alcoholics Anonymous. That day at approximately 12 p.m. when Wachsman opened the door for Fields, a serrated kitchen knife was plunged into Wachsmans chest and neck several times by Fields. Sometime later she drove to the Brockton, MA police department where she sat outside drinking a cup of coffee and smoking a cigarette, when an officer approached her car. As Fields complained of chest pain, the officer noticed some blood on her shirt and questioned her. She then continued by saying that she had just 'hurt' someone. When the police arrived at Wachsmans place, they found her body laying a few feet from the door (National Coalition, 2011).
After much speculation from local news accounts, authorities disclosed that there was in fact a third party; Renee Williams, Eunice Field's ex-girlfriend. "Nevertheless, the district attorney asserted that Williams and Wachsman were not intimately involved and that Wachsman was Williams' and Fields' AA counselor." Williams had recently ended the relationship of ten years with Fields, according to media reports and the D.A.'s office stated that the break up was related to an intervention. But, before Fields left for Wachsmans apartment, she left a note for Renee. This note stated something along the lines of Wachsman getting "what was coming to her for '...taking away the love of my life.'" Also before meeting with Wachsman, Fields told a friend that she felt a little stressed and was going to release some of the stress (National Coalition,2011).
"At her arraignment, Fields was charged with first degree murder. Fields entered a plea of not guilty despite having confessed to police on the day of the murder. Fields is currently awaiting trial." (National Coalition, 2011).
Massachusetts Domestic Violence Laws
Most domestic
violence cases in the state of Massachusetts involve a misdemeanor charge to the offender. However in some cases, such as those with the use of a
weapon in the assault and/or those offenders with a history of convictions,
individuals may be charged with a felony. Penalties to be faced after being
charged with domestic violence may include a restraining order preventing
contact with the victim that has been abused, up to 2 ½ years of jail time,
community service, a fine of up to $1,000 and counseling or anger management
attendance. The severity of the offenders’ sentence and the penalties that
follow, really depend on mitigating factors (Nolo, 2013). Domestic violence laws in Massachusetts include a variety of sections. These sections may be seen at www.malegislature.gov, under General Laws >> Part II >> Title III titled "Domestic Relations". Some of these laws may include real and personal property, marriage, divorce, husband/wife and abuse prevention. Also included is the Massachusetts Child Custody Jurisdiction Act, children born out of wedlock, Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, adoption of children and change of names; each section including its own subsection (Massachusetts, 2013).
Getting Help
After becoming a victim of domestic violence in Massachusetts, there are several statewide and local programs available to be of assistance. These statewide programs include Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project, Domestic Violence Institute, Jane Doe, Inc. -- Massachusetts Coalition Against DV, SafeLink Domestic Violence Hotline and more. Depending on the city, local programs are also offered. Most programs include emergency shelters, counseling, safety planning, help hotlines and prevention programs (National Networks, 2008).
Media Portrayal
Below are two videos and a song that have been created concerning issues involving intimate partner violence and domestic violence.
This video portrays a young woman debating whether her man loves her or not. She reminisces on their times, from good to bad and the violence is shown. "He loves me not".
This video is about a young woman who gets home and sees that her mirror has been broken. She looks around the house for her partner and finds him. They begin to argue and things go downhill.
This song is written from the aspect of a man who not only has to watch the woman he loves be with another man, but he has to see her go through intimate partner violence and stay stuck in the relationship.
References
Massachusetts
Laws. (2013). Domestic Relations. Retrieved from http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws
National
Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, Dessus, J., Fishera, A., Rosado, J.
(2011). Voices of Victims and Survivors: The 2010
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Intimate Partner
Violence Narratives. Retrieved from http://www.cuav.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/4539_2010IPVNarratives.pdf
National Network to End Domestic Violence, Inc. (2008). Statewide
Programs Massachusetts. Retrieved from http://www.womenslaw.org/gethelp_state_type.php?type_id=1348&state_code=MA
Nolo. (2013).
Massachusetts Domestic Violence Laws: Charges and Penalties. Retrieved from http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/domestic-violence/massachusetts-domestic-violence-laws-charges-p
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