Loudoun County Government: Commonwealth's Attorney Issues Statement On Domestic Violence

Leesburg VA

05 October, 2021

12:45 PM

Description

Press release from the Loudoun County Government: October 1, 2021 Domestic Violence: The greatest threat to the safety, stability, and health of our community. Today is the first day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic and sexual violence affect our families, homes, communities, schools, and workplaces daily. Domestic and sexual violence impact all socio-economic levels, cultures, and religions. Whether the impact is open and obvious, such as a tragic homicide, or hidden and suppressed, such as the emotional and psychological effect on children who silently live with the violence, domestic and sexual violence can penetrate even the deepest levels of our society. As a community we must be partners in the prevention of and protection against domestic violence. The data is evident that the court system cannot do it alone. On January 30, 2019, the Office of the Attorney General for Virginia released its Report on Domestic and Sexual Violence in Virginia for 2018 (PDF). Due to the complexities in domestic relations, the persons involved have a difficult time engaging in or completing the prosecution process. This fact, as evidenced in the OAG 2018 report, confirmed that prosecutions resulting in convictions for domestic violence in Virginia have consistently been under 20% since 2013 (when reporting become more formal). 2018 was the most recent year reported and showed 21,945 cases were filed and 3,835 resulted in convictions (approx. 17%). Challenges related to the prosecutions included victim assistance/cooperation, and lack of evidence. Further, there is a fear of the court system. Recently, we had a victim witness convicted of contempt and sentenced to jail while she was testifying against her abuser. We fought for her and will continue to stand with our victims so that they are heard, are seen and are protected. Recently we lost a loved member of our community when Regina Redman-Lollobrigido died after succumbing to the injuries inflicted upon her last week. Although I never had the privilege to meet her, my heart aches nonetheless. My prayers are with Ms. Redman-Lollobrigido's family and friends. This horrific event is a reminder that domestic violence continues to be the most prevalent threat to the safety, stability, and health of our community. As this tragic event is still under investigation and a prosecution is pending against Peter Lollobrigido, the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney is ethically limited in the comments it may make related specifically to this case. Although Loudoun County is one of the safest counties in the country, it is not immune from domestic violence. Fatalities resulting from domestic violence are not an anomaly, unfortunately, as we have experienced many losses over the years (note, names are not included to limit re-traumatization): 2018 - a brother killed his sister by running her over with his car after an argument 2017 - a husband killed his wife by fatally stabbing her in the neck 2017 - a man killed his father with his hands during an argument 2017- a man shot and killed his father 2016 - a man fatally stabbed his half-brother 2016 - a man fatally shot his ex-girlfriend and mother of his child 2014 - a man fatally stabbed his estranged his estranged wife 2014 - a man fatally strangled his ex-wife 2014 - a man fatally shot his wife after learning she wished to separate from him 2013 - a woman fatally stabbed her husband 2010 - a man killed his wife using a hammer 2009 - a man fatally strangled his live-in girl friend 2005 - a man fatally shot his wife 2004 - a man strangled and dis-membered his wife after learning she intended to separate from him Every incident is one too many. Each day acts of domestic violence are committed, the fiber of our great community is frayed. In addition to the physical harm the victim suffers, there is mental and emotional trauma which, except in cases of death, extends beyond the physical injury. This press release was produced by the Loudoun County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.