A Missouri Town Exiled A Woman For Calling The Police On Her Abusive Ex

[sheshe2]

Under a local “nuisance” ordinance, a person who calls the cops for domestic violence more than twice in 180 days can face eviction.

By Melissa Jeltsen





When Rosetta Watson, a black woman with disabilities living in Maplewood, Missouri, needed protection from an abusive ex-boyfriend, she did what she was supposed to do: She called the police. On four occasions between 2011 and 2012, she contacted local law enforcement, telling authorities that Robert Hennings hit, shoved and choked her.


Watson wanted relief from the violence. But instead, according to a federal lawsuit the American Civil Liberties Union filed last week against Maplewood, she was evicted and forced to leave town for six months.

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For Watson, the repercussions were severe: After she was booted from her home, she lost her Section 8 housing voucher. Without it, she couldn’t find an affordable home and ended up on the streets for a period of time. She eventually moved to St. Louis. But when her ex-boyfriend abused her again ― this time stabbing her in the legs ― she was too frightened to call the cops and instead went to the hospital by herself. The hospital called police, Hennings was charged, pleaded guilty to domestic assault in the third degree, and was sentenced to incarceration. He died in 2013.

The lawsuit the ACLU filed on Watson’s behalf claims that the Maplewood nuisance ordinance violates the First Amendment right to petition the government for assistance, as well as the rights to travel, equal protection and due process. It comes on the heels of two other ACLU lawsuits that challenged nuisance ordinances, including one in in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and one in Surprise, Arizona. Both were filed on behalf of domestic violence victims and resulted in the repeal of the local laws.

Sandra Park, senior staff attorney at the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project, said she’s seen similar ordinances in over 30 states. They can result in serious consequences for domestic violence victims and their families, she said.


Read More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rosetta-watson-maplewood-missouri-abuse_us_58ebece5e4b0ca64d91864f0?

Because of these archaic and inhumane laws women stop reporting the violence due to the severe repercussions they face. Three times Hennings was arrested for assault in the third degree between 09/2011 and 02/2012. THREE TIMES. It was only the fourth time that he landed in jail for stabbing her. The reason for such laws in 30 states...they are a nuisance and it puts the police officer in danger. WTF? So don't call the police when your life is threatened, OFFICERS LIVES MATTER MORE! What the hell are they even in this job for if they are so fearful.

You know, you just know that AG sessions will do nothing at all to help these women. I am beyond angry.

[elleng]

1. How about evict the PERP???

[katmondoo]

4. I was abused many times in the late 50's and 60's

It was always the same the police did nothing and I am white. I finally left him with my kids, one was 3 the other nine months. I live alone now and finally am happy. I am an artist and art work is better when you are alone and can concentrate on what you are doing. This woman was lucky to still be alive.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. I had no idea this was happening, but i suppose I shouldn't be surprised at anything any more....

Anyway, time to give the ACLU a few more bucks.

[mopinko]

3. kicked her out of the town? wtff?

if they had done their jobs and made sure the guy did time the first time maybe they wouldnt have had to keep coming back.

[athena]

6. I'm sure DUers will rush in to explain how this is perfectly appropriate

and that abused women must make sure to avoid taking up too much police time by calling 911 too frequently. The first priority of the police force, after all, is to drag passengers out of airplanes whenever the airlines demand it, and, in general, protecting large corporations from their customers. Having too many abused women take up precious resources would mean the cops would not be able to serve their real masters.

[mopinko]

7. well said, and

probably sadly correct.

[sheshe2]

8. Yup...

And you know those pesky women are just PMS'ing or just out right hysterical.

[smirkymonkey]

12. Yes, the authoritarians seem to be coming out of the woodwork

lately. Especially when a woman, minority or gay person is getting the short end of the stick. Interesting.

[procon]

5. The War on Women continues.

Republican politicians who hold political majorities in red states have no regard for lawsuits, court rulings, public outrage, or the ethical and moral convictions of those who support Women's Equality. These medieval laws that persecute women won't ever stop as long as weak men try to dominate and control those they see as being unworthy and less valuable than themselves.

[sheshe2]

9. You nailed it procon.

[appal_jack]

10. K&R for (i.e.-against) the most unconstitutional shite I've read all day.

And in April of 2017, the town of Maplewood, MO has got to be seriously f'in batshit crazy to take "most unconstitutional shite" status. WTF?

-app

[sheshe2]

11. Hey, app.

I can tell you are as pissed as I am. FFS! A woman, disabled alone in the streets for calling the PD to protect her from assault. She was banned from her community because she was a nuisance for being assaulted 3 times in the third degree. If the cops did there job in the first place it would not have happened over and over. I just want to scream.

[appal_jack]

13. Absolutely, sheshe2

The ACLU attorneys on this case are the ray of hope here, but the actions of the government and police here are unconscionable.

-app

[sheshe2]

14. Thank you, app.