In one year’s time, Marshalltown Police responded to 350 domestic violence related calls. That’s almost as many as there are days in a year. They get a call more often than weather sirens are tested or the time it takes for milk to expire.

Domestic violence is a significant problem in the United States, Iowa, Marshall County and Marshalltown. It cuts across economic, ethnic, gender and religious boundaries according to law enforcement and agency professionals.

Intimate partner violence affects more than 12 million people each year in the United States. National studies state nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men nationally have suffered severe physical violence by an intimate partner.

In Marshalltown during the period July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, police investigated 350 domestic violence related calls and 41 sexual assault incidents.

“These known numbers are staggering enough,” Chief of Police Mike Tupper said. “Some studies have shown only 25 percent of domestic violence related crimes are ever reported to law enforcement. (The reporting rate for sex crimes is even lower). If this report rate holds true in Marshalltown, that would mean there were more than 1,000 domestic violence related incidents which went unreported during the aforementioned period.”

Tupper said these criminal incidents significantly affect police resources and have long-term effects upon families and children locally.

Marshall County Sheriff’s Office

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office responds to calls for domestic abuse or violence in unincorporated areas as well as Marshall County towns they are contracted to serve.

Deputies and other staff serve in the front lines dealing with the problem 365/24/7.

Marshall County Sheriff Steve Hoffman said there is a difference between abuse and violence.

“Not all domestic-related calls result in an arrest, particularly if the incident does not involve an assault,” Hoffman said. “We are sent to more domestic disputes and disturbances than domestic abuse assaults.”

Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office responded to a number of domestic disturbance and domestic violence calls.

“In 2017, the MCSO responded to 100 calls for service or an average of eight per month,” Marshall County Chief Deputy Joel Phillips said in an email to the Times-Republican. “From those calls there were 15 arrests and two involved a weapon and two involved impeding the airway and/or blood flow (strangulation).”

As of Oct. 1, 2018, there were 71 calls for service averaging 10 per month, Phillips said. “From that there were 22 arrests. Five involved a weapon and four involved impeding the airway and/or blood flow (strangulation). In comparing the two years there has been a slight rise in domestic incidences.”

Marshalltown Police

Det. Dawn Blahnik of the Marshalltown Police Department has more than 12 years experience in law enforcement from her early years on patrol with the Meskwaki Tribal Police in Tama to work as MPD patrol officer.

As a patrol officer, she answered many calls from E-911 dispatchers to investigate domestic disputes or domestic violence incidents.

“At the very least there are two officers on scene,” she said. “Domestic disputes are extremely dangerous situations … one never knows where or when there will be weapons … and sometimes incredibly aggressive parties are involved.”

Blahnik said the MPD follows a set procedure when making domestic disturbance calls.

1. Once admitted to the residence, diffuse situation and make sure everyone is OK.

2. If necessary, arrange for medical attention.

3. Separate parties involved.

4. Get statements from all.

5. Sort out statements from perpetrator, witnesses and victims.

6. Clearly identify aggressor if assault took place and make arrest.

7. Take the suspect to MPD for booking, which includes finger-printing and photograph.

8. The suspect is transported to Marshall County Jail.

9. The criminal complaint and affidavit is also filed with MPD staff, who then relay to

Marshall County District Court officials in time for court proceedings.

Echoing Hoffman, Blahnik said not all calls resulted in arrests. Arrests occurred when a physical assault took place.

She said physical signs of assault may range from bruises to cuts to swelling and more.

In many cases victims must seek medical treatment.

An examination of several criminal complaints filed by investigating officers reveals visible signs of assault in many local cases.

“The defendant committed an assault against the victim by slapping her in the face numerous times … the victim retained injuries as a result. The defendant and victim reside together,” one case said.

While perpetrators are more commonly men, domestic violence survivors come from all backgrounds.

“The defendant punched the victim in the face while a set of car keys were in her hand, causing the victim to have multiple wounds on his face,” another report said.

Substance abuse plays a role in many disputes or violence Blahnik said, although it is unclear how much.

“On patrol, some of the cases I encountered involved drug and alcohol use,” Blahnik said. “Alcohol and drugs significantly decreases the ability to communicate and problem solve.”

Blahnik said social media is a factor.

“Social media plays a role,” Blahnik said. “It can inflame a situation quickly … jealousy issues among others.”

Now a detective, the Ames native spends 75 percent of her time devoted to domestic abuse and sexual assault cases locally.

The Violence Against Women Grant makes that commitment possible, Tupper said.

The department has applied for, and received the grant since 1996.

“This is federal and state money,” Tupper said. “We receive funds from the Crime Victim Assistance Division of the Iowa Department of Justice through their Victim Services Support Program.”

From her experience-rich vantage point, Blahnik said there is not a typical domestic abuser.

Editor’s note: The Times-Republican is committed to showing the impact of domestic violence and highlighting efforts to put an end to it. If you would like to share your story, thoughts about the content or topics related to domestic violence that you would like to see covered — on or off the record — please reach out to T-R News Editor Emily Barske at ebarske@timesrepublican.com or 641-753-6611 ext. 255.

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Contact Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com