Video: Combating Domestic Violence Trends

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – If you have been watching, you may have noticed a disturbing trend.

Domestic disturbances that turn deadly are becoming more common.

But if you find yourself suddenly in a dangerous domestic situation, what should you do?

Domestic disturbance calls are some of the most common for law enforcement officers.

But they can also be some of the most dangerous situations.

“It’s probably one of the most emotional calls because you have two people that at the time the call comes in are in a disturbance but there is a dynamic of love and involvement and commitment. And for us, when you get there, they’re very volitle, they’re very argumentative,” said Captain Ryan Rickert, with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department.

Captain Rickert says it’s important to report domestic abuse as soon as possible so officers can step in immediately and provide help.

“The way the statue is written on domestic violence if it’s not within a 24 hour time frame, it takes some of the options out of our hands. And we have to assist them instead of being proactive and taking care of the situation for them,” said Captain Rickert.

The Pines and Cady Hill Recovery Center in Columbus is staffed with professional counselors.

“Domestic violence is deadly,” said Keenyn Wald, at The Pines and Cady Hill Recovery Center.

Experts say there are some warning signs.

“There’s a lot of control, particular in terms of cell phone use, who to hang out with, where they can spend money, what they can do with their time. And so when you see this repeated pattern of somebody trying to control someone else, that is an early warning sign of domestic violence,” said Wald.

If you are experiencing some type of domestic abuse, it’s important to seek professional help.

“I’m hoping that anybody experiencing anything that feels like domestic or partner violence reaches out to somebody, I would prefer it to be somebody that’s knowledgeable in this field because we can help them reach services that they can get, there’s a great domestic violence hotline,” added Wald.

The crisis hotline through the recovery center is available 24-7.

The number is 888-943-3022