Domestic violence by strangulation isn't a crime here

By PHILIP PALERMO

The Mirror

The Federal Way City Council is expected to consider adding a pair of domestic violence crimes to the city's list of punishable crimes.

A proposal by the Parks, Recreation and Public Safety Committee would identify domestic violence in the presence of children and domestic violence using strangulation as specific crimes within the city.

The committee approved the proposal at its May 8 meeting.

A memo from city attorney Patricia Richardson stated Federal Way officials have worked with the South King County Community Network to study adverse effects that witnessing domestic violence has on children. Research cited in the memo stated such children frequently show emotional and developmental effects similar to children who were directly abused.

Richardson said research also showed children in Federal Way witnessed 232 cases of domestic violence in 2004.

"That's quite a big number," she said.

In addition to emotional difficulties, Richardson said children who witness domestic violence can also develop auditory and visual problems.

Councilman Jim Ferrell, who has pressed for additions to domestic violence laws, said at the May 8 committee meeting that he has prosecuted domestic violence cases for 11 years as a King County deputy prosecutor.

"He's wanted to strengthen our city code" regarding domestic violence in the presence of children, said interim city manager Derek Matheson.

Richardson, in her memo, also cited statistics identifying strangulation as one of the most lethal methods of domestic violence. In 2004, 10 percent of the violent deaths in the U.S. were from strangulation, she wrote.

Richardson said strangulation can be used to exert power and control over victims.

She pointed out strangulation itself is currently not a crime in Federal Way. That would change, she said, if the council approves the proposed ordinance in votes scheduled for June 6 and June 20.

The proposed additions to the city's domestic violence laws would include committing the crime of domestic violence while witnessed by or in the immediate presence of the assailant's children, the victim's children or any other child residing in the household.

Exposing children to domestic violence could result in conviction of a gross misdemeanor punishable by a minimum of 30 days in jail. Anyone convicted of the crime that doesn't receive the full one-year sentence would be placed on probation and required to attend treatment programs.

Strangulation would also carry a gross misdemeanor charge with a minimum of 30 days in jail.

Staff writer Philip Palermo: 925-5565, ppalermo@fedwaymirror.com

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