When a Loved One is Your Worst Enemy

July 13, 2011
Brian Kuebler

BALTIMORE - For domestic violence victims it often starts in the shadows, for one woman it literally started in the darkness of her boyfriend’s room.

"I couldn't get away from him. He ended up sitting on top of my abdomen. One arm he was using to hold my hands down on my chest or however he could, and the other hand he was strangulating me."

It was at that point, a hand around her neck, when she had that very clear and mortal thought; confronting the frightening and sobering reality that her life may end literally at the hand of a loved one.

"And I thought OK, this is what they are talking about, I am going to die, I'm gonna die. That's what was going through my mind and I thought I gotta get out, I gotta get out. I thought I am gonna die if I don't get outta here and I was screaming for help."

She did get out, able to sit with us and tell us her story; a story that may have never come to light if not for the special illumination of a new tool being used to document domestic violence.

It is part of what’s called the Strangulation Response Project. 50 percent of injuries sustained by strangulation are often not visible with the naked eye and can heal quickly.

This special new light source is nearly eliminating that fact giving nurses a unique and revealing look at the total injury.

"I find it very gratifying to be able to see the injuries we weren’t able to see before. It helps the victim as well to understand that yes, this really did happen to me and people are finally believing me," said RN Rosalyn Berkowitz.

Berkowitz is a Registered Nurse with Northwest Hospital's domestic violence program or DOVE.

She uses the light to examine victims.

It works with a series of different filters and eyewear exposing injuries often hard to detect; now offering concrete evidence for not just the strangulation victim, but for the overall investigation.

"On average we can nab anywhere from two to three, even busier months we can have 5, 6 cases," said Baltimore County Officer Darrin Kelly.

Officer Kelly investigates domestic violence cases, this new light source he says is already making a difference.

"Stronger cases yes. It gives the prosecution a lot more evidence to use at trial," said Kelly.

The light was used in our victim's case, one of 25 strangulation cases in Baltimore County this year.

She never did need the photos for prosecution as her attacker pleaded guilty but he and his lawyer knew they were there.

"I'm thankful for the light source and I am also thankful my life was sparred, that I can still have a voice; that the future can learn from the past."

A light source now shining brightly on justice for strangulation victims.

There are only two of the light sources in our area. One is being used at Northwest Hospital in Baltimore County and one other at Mercy Hospital in downtown Baltimore.