Post by lace on Aug 10, 2006 22:39:21 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Domestic violence aide speaks from experience [/glow] 
08/10/06
By Ben Mauk
Seven years after her estranged husband was convicted of slaying the couple's two children in their Laurel home, Lisa Spicknall is working as a PG County advocate for victims of domestic violence.
On a sweltering recent weekday at the Prince George's County courthouse in Upper Marlboro, Lisa Spicknall smiled broadly as she bounced busily between courtrooms and her office down the hall.
Spicknall, 31, works out of a cramped, windowless office inside the courthouse, just down the hall from the courtrooms where she advises clients. A large framed photograph on her desk displays two beaming children.
She is one of six domestic violence advocates who work for the county Office of the Sheriff, guiding clients through the entire process of applying for and securing a protective order.
In their jobs, Spicknall and her fellow advocates hear many harrowing stories of domestic abuse. But the former Laurel resident is no stranger to harrowing domestic stories. Her own story gives her a special understanding of her clients' situations.
In September 1999, while the family was living in Laurel, Spicknall's two children, Richie, 2, and Destiny, 3 were shot and killed with a 9mm Smith and Wesson.
In November 2000, Lisa's estranged husband, Richard Spicknall II, pleaded guilty to the murders and was sentenced to life in prison.
Richard and Lisa Spicknall had been in the process of divorcing at the time of the killings and were in a custody battle over the children. Lisa Spicknall had obtained a protective order against her husband.
"I carry it with me every day," Lisa Spicknall said of the traumatic experience.
Spicknall began working in domestic violence advocacy a year after the murders, at the Stephanie Roper Foundation (now the Maryland Crime Resource Center).
Six years later, in March 2006, she was hired by the Office of the Sheriff to work with domestic violence victims.
As a domestic violence advocate, Spicknall spends much of her time in the courtroom, helping domestic violence victims navigate the application process for protective orders.
"I explain what they don't understand as it is happening, and I answer any questions they might have," Spicknall said of her role in the courtroom.
Grants fund advocates
A $1.2 million federal grant last year, made possible by the Violence Against Women Act, and an additional $200,000 or so in grants from the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, allowed the Office of the Sheriff to hire added staff and implement new procedures aimed at cutting down on domestic violence in Prince George's County.
In April 2006, the county began a 90-day assessment program that expanded the domestic intervention duties of the Office of the Sheriff and allowed for the hiring of Spicknall and one other advocate.
As of the end of June, advocates had worked with 623 clients, both in and out of the courtroom.
Bethany Bordeaux began working at the Office of the Sheriff headquarters in May, and has contacted some 60 clients since then. "Not all cases go to court," she said. But whether or not the clients move to the courtroom, "we provide references and referrals to shelters and legal aids."
During the office's trial period, which ended July 31, advocates like Spicknall handled emergency calls from Prince George's County Police District 3, in central Prince George's County.
Norma Harley, manager for domestic violence intervention/community services in the county, said that although the trial period is over, the advocates are continuing their work and eventually will work with families in other parts of the county.
"At some point we will take over the entire county," Harley said.
In court, the advocates already represent clients from all across the county.
Harley said deputies from the sheriff's office have answered more than 1,300 distress calls related to domestic violence since the end of April, and 60 of those calls led to arrests.
Dealing with distress calls
Advocates like Spicknall and Bordeaux follow up on all distress calls to offer help in obtaining a protective order. "Most of the time they do want our services," said Bordeaux.
Each advocate has worked with an average of 104 clients.
"They're doing exceptional work," said Harley of the advocates.
She said residents appreciate the help. "Citizens are amazed that they're getting personal telephone calls."
"It's a work in progress," Spicknall said of the pilot program. "Things change daily. But it's a good system."
Added Spicknall: "I always bring my personal experience to my work, though I may not always tell a client about it. (Personal experience) helps in what you do. In any field, it helps."
news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=810&NewsID=739121&CategoryID=5845&on=1
08/10/06
By Ben Mauk
Seven years after her estranged husband was convicted of slaying the couple's two children in their Laurel home, Lisa Spicknall is working as a PG County advocate for victims of domestic violence.
On a sweltering recent weekday at the Prince George's County courthouse in Upper Marlboro, Lisa Spicknall smiled broadly as she bounced busily between courtrooms and her office down the hall.
Spicknall, 31, works out of a cramped, windowless office inside the courthouse, just down the hall from the courtrooms where she advises clients. A large framed photograph on her desk displays two beaming children.
She is one of six domestic violence advocates who work for the county Office of the Sheriff, guiding clients through the entire process of applying for and securing a protective order.
In their jobs, Spicknall and her fellow advocates hear many harrowing stories of domestic abuse. But the former Laurel resident is no stranger to harrowing domestic stories. Her own story gives her a special understanding of her clients' situations.
In September 1999, while the family was living in Laurel, Spicknall's two children, Richie, 2, and Destiny, 3 were shot and killed with a 9mm Smith and Wesson.
In November 2000, Lisa's estranged husband, Richard Spicknall II, pleaded guilty to the murders and was sentenced to life in prison.
Richard and Lisa Spicknall had been in the process of divorcing at the time of the killings and were in a custody battle over the children. Lisa Spicknall had obtained a protective order against her husband.
"I carry it with me every day," Lisa Spicknall said of the traumatic experience.
Spicknall began working in domestic violence advocacy a year after the murders, at the Stephanie Roper Foundation (now the Maryland Crime Resource Center).
Six years later, in March 2006, she was hired by the Office of the Sheriff to work with domestic violence victims.
As a domestic violence advocate, Spicknall spends much of her time in the courtroom, helping domestic violence victims navigate the application process for protective orders.
"I explain what they don't understand as it is happening, and I answer any questions they might have," Spicknall said of her role in the courtroom.
Grants fund advocates
A $1.2 million federal grant last year, made possible by the Violence Against Women Act, and an additional $200,000 or so in grants from the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, allowed the Office of the Sheriff to hire added staff and implement new procedures aimed at cutting down on domestic violence in Prince George's County.
In April 2006, the county began a 90-day assessment program that expanded the domestic intervention duties of the Office of the Sheriff and allowed for the hiring of Spicknall and one other advocate.
As of the end of June, advocates had worked with 623 clients, both in and out of the courtroom.
Bethany Bordeaux began working at the Office of the Sheriff headquarters in May, and has contacted some 60 clients since then. "Not all cases go to court," she said. But whether or not the clients move to the courtroom, "we provide references and referrals to shelters and legal aids."
During the office's trial period, which ended July 31, advocates like Spicknall handled emergency calls from Prince George's County Police District 3, in central Prince George's County.
Norma Harley, manager for domestic violence intervention/community services in the county, said that although the trial period is over, the advocates are continuing their work and eventually will work with families in other parts of the county.
"At some point we will take over the entire county," Harley said.
In court, the advocates already represent clients from all across the county.
Harley said deputies from the sheriff's office have answered more than 1,300 distress calls related to domestic violence since the end of April, and 60 of those calls led to arrests.
Dealing with distress calls
Advocates like Spicknall and Bordeaux follow up on all distress calls to offer help in obtaining a protective order. "Most of the time they do want our services," said Bordeaux.
Each advocate has worked with an average of 104 clients.
"They're doing exceptional work," said Harley of the advocates.
She said residents appreciate the help. "Citizens are amazed that they're getting personal telephone calls."
"It's a work in progress," Spicknall said of the pilot program. "Things change daily. But it's a good system."
Added Spicknall: "I always bring my personal experience to my work, though I may not always tell a client about it. (Personal experience) helps in what you do. In any field, it helps."
news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=810&NewsID=739121&CategoryID=5845&on=1