RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence said there have been 60 homicides and 19 suicides across North Carolina related to domestic violence as of early October.

What You Need To Know

  • There have been 60 homicides and 19 suicides across North Carolina related to domestic violence as of early October

  • A Franklin County woman said victims are more likely to survive when they know how to find access to the resources that could save their lives

  • Monica Kearney lost someone to domestic violence and is a champion for victims

A Franklin County woman said victims are more likely to survive when they know how to find access to the resources that could save their lives.

The Lethality screening is a partnership between Safe Space Incorporated and law enforcement. Based on the answers to the questionnaire, law enforcement determines whether the officer will do an immediate referral to a domestic violence advocate while on the scene.

Monica Kearney still keeps pictures in her office of the victims who lost their lives to domestic violence in North Carolina.

“She fought incredibly hard to survive. Again, another shockwave in the community,” Kearney explained.

Kearney followed her neighbor’s case closely.

Police say the 44-year-old mother of two was killed by her ex-boyfriend in 2015, but that’s not the only loss that hits close to home.

“That is my aunt Shirley and her children, and even when I look at this now, her smile just lifts off the paper to me,” Kearney said.

Kearney says her aunt Shirley Ford was killed on her birthday by her ex-boyfriend, and her house was burned down.

“She fought, she had a gun, she wrote letters, if anything happens to me. She was afraid, and I think to myself, this is why I got to fight,” Kearney added.

That’s why Kearney’s taking a stand to help others at Safe Space Incorporated in Franklin County where she’s the executive director.
The program provides resources to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

“This resource is the Lethality assessment protocol,” Kearney explained.

The Lethality screening is a partnership between Kearney’s office and local law enforcement.

“The first three questions, these questions indicate to us whether the victims are at risk for domestic violence homicide,” Kearney said.

A few of the questions include, has he or she ever used a weapon against you or threatened to kill you? Based on the answers, law enforcement determines whether the officer will do an immediate referral to a domestic violence advocate while on the scene.

Kearney says even 35 years after her aunt’s death, she will do everything to keep her aunt’s memory alive.

“She mattered. It’s not just another face, but an opportunity for us to look at the system and say hey, what do we need to do,” Kearney explained.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, click here.