Report on Domestic Violence and Institutional Response in Staten Island

Case Summary

A fatal incident in Staten Island, wherein Damien Hurstel allegedly killed his mother’s boyfriend, Anthony Casalaspro, has brought to light significant challenges related to public health, safety, and institutional effectiveness. The event was preceded by a multi-year history of domestic disturbances and calls for emergency services, highlighting critical gaps in social support systems. This case serves as a stark illustration of the interconnected nature of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, gender equality, and justice.

Analysis in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The events leading up to the fatality underscore a failure to meet the objectives of SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful societies and build effective, accountable institutions. The institutional response to repeated calls for help appears to have been insufficient in preventing the escalation of violence.

• Target 16.1 (Reduce Violence): Despite numerous interventions, the cycle of violence within the household was not broken, culminating in a death.
• Institutional Shortcomings:
  1. At least five domestic violence-related 911 calls were made from the residence starting in 2021, with the deceased, Mr. Casalaspro, listed as the alleged perpetrator.
  2. In a 2023 incident, police reportedly instructed an intoxicated Mr. Casalaspro to leave the home, but he later returned and allegedly assaulted both Damien Hurstel and his mother.
  3. Mr. Casalaspro had a prior criminal record dating back to 2000, including arrests for assault and possession of a weapon.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The case highlights severe challenges in achieving SDG 5, specifically its target on eliminating violence against women. The mother of Damien Hurstel was a repeated victim of domestic abuse, a critical issue that SDG 5 seeks to eradicate.

• Target 5.2 (Eliminate Violence Against Women): The history of abuse represents a clear failure to protect a woman from violence in the private sphere.
• Documented Incidents of Violence:
  • In 2021, the mother reported that her boyfriend was intoxicated, destroying property, and allegedly in possession of a handgun.
  • In 2023, she was allegedly slapped by Mr. Casalaspro during an altercation.
  • Neighbors witnessed a separate incident where she suffered a broken leg, with the boyfriend reportedly discouraging calls for emergency assistance.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The physical and mental health dimensions of this case are central, directly relating to the aims of SDG 3. The well-being of all individuals involved was severely compromised by violence, mental health issues, and substance abuse.

• Target 3.4 (Promote Mental Health): Damien Hurstel was the subject of multiple mental health-related calls. His mother had reported to 911 operators that he had threatened suicide and engaged in self-harm, indicating a significant, unaddressed mental health crisis.
• Target 3.5 (Substance Abuse): Alcohol abuse is a recurring factor in the reports, with Mr. Casalaspro frequently described as intoxicated during alleged assaults. This points to the need for stronger prevention and treatment of substance abuse to mitigate its role as a driver of violence.
• Physical Health: The repeated physical assaults, including a broken leg and other attacks, represent severe negative health outcomes resulting from the domestic situation.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article highlights significant challenges to health and well-being, including severe mental health issues and substance abuse. The teen, Damien Hurstel, was the subject of “mental health calls,” had “threatened suicide,” and engaged in self-harm. The victim, Anthony Casalaspro, is repeatedly described as acting violently while drunk (“drunkenly attacked,” “aggressively inebriated”), pointing to the harmful use of alcohol. The physical violence, resulting in a “broken leg” for the mother, also falls under this goal.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• This goal is addressed through the explicit descriptions of domestic violence against a woman. The article states that the victim was the “alleged perpetrator in at least five domestic violence-related 911 calls.” Specific instances of violence against Hurstel’s mother are mentioned, including being slapped and suffering a broken leg, directly relating to the goal of eliminating violence against women.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article is centered on a breakdown of peace and safety, culminating in a violent death. It touches upon the failure of institutions to prevent violence despite repeated warnings (“A batch of desperate pleas for help repeatedly drew cops”). The cycle of violence, including the victim’s own criminal record and the final act of homicide (“decapitated his mom’s boyfriend”), points directly to the challenges in reducing violence and ensuring justice and safety for all.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Targets under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The article’s focus on the teen’s mental health struggles, including suicide threats and self-harm, directly connects to the need to promote mental health and well-being.
2. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. The repeated references to the victim’s aggression and violence being linked to alcohol (“drunkenly breaking things,” “drunkenly attacked”) highlight the relevance of this target concerning the harmful use of alcohol.

Targets under SDG 5: Gender Equality

1. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The article’s core narrative revolves around domestic violence directed at Hurstel’s mother. The “five domestic violence-related 911 calls” and specific injuries like a “broken leg” are clear examples of the violence this target aims to eliminate.

Targets under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The final, brutal act of decapitation is an extreme form of violence and a homicide, making this target directly relevant.
2. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The article notes that the teen, Damien Hurstel, was also a victim of violence when Casalaspro “allegedly drunkenly attacked Hurstel,” connecting the events to the protection of children from violence.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for SDG 3

• Implied Indicator 3.4.2 (Suicide mortality rate): The mention of the teen having “threatened suicide” and being the subject of “mental health calls” serves as a qualitative indicator of severe mental distress and suicide risk, which this indicator aims to measure.
• Implied Indicator 3.5.2 (Harmful use of alcohol): The article’s repeated descriptions of the victim’s violence while being “drunkenly” or “aggressively inebriated” provide narrative evidence of the harmful use of alcohol.

Indicators for SDG 5

• Implied Indicator 5.2.1 (Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner): The article provides direct evidence for this indicator by stating there were “at least five domestic violence-related 911 calls” and describing specific acts of physical violence, such as slapping and an attack that resulted in a broken leg.

Indicators for SDG 16

• Implied Indicator 16.1.1 (Number of intentional homicides): The central event of the article, the act where the teen “decapitated his mom’s boyfriend,” is a direct instance of an intentional homicide.
• Implied Indicator 16.2.1 (Proportion of children aged 1-17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers): The report that Casalaspro “drunkenly attacked Hurstel” is a specific instance of physical violence against a minor, which this indicator tracks.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nypost.com