Fulton County DA says Atlanta is under a ‘domestic violence epidemic’ – WSB-TV

Report on Domestic Violence in Fulton County and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Public Health and Justice Crisis

Fulton County is confronting a significant public health and justice crisis, identified by the District Attorney’s Office as a “domestic violence epidemic.” With a backlog of nearly one thousand pending felony cases, this issue presents a direct challenge to the achievement of several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, gender equality, and justice.

Upholding SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The efforts of the Fulton County District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Division are a critical component in advancing SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions. The division’s work directly addresses Target 16.1 (significantly reduce all forms of violence) and Target 16.3 (ensure equal access to justice for all).

1. Institutional Resilience: Despite challenges such as hung juries, the prosecutor’s office demonstrates institutional resolve. The case of Darrius Berry, who was convicted of felony aggravated battery after three separate trials, exemplifies a commitment to pursuing justice even in complex legal circumstances.
2. Ensuring Access to Justice: The office employs innovative strategies to overcome obstacles like victim intimidation, a common tactic that undermines the justice process. In the case against Christon Tart, prosecutors successfully used body camera footage and a 911 call as evidence when the victim was unwilling to testify due to threats, ensuring the case could proceed.
3. Accountability for Violence: By actively prosecuting nearly a thousand felony cases, the institution is working to hold offenders accountable, a foundational step in reducing violence and strengthening the rule of law within the community.

Advancing SDG 5: Gender Equality

Domestic violence is a profound barrier to achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality), specifically Target 5.2, which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. While victims can be of any gender, this form of violence is overwhelmingly gender-based and rooted in power imbalances.

• Addressing Power Dynamics: Deputy Fulton County District Attorney Asia Baysah noted that “Victims are under the power and control of their abuser.” Recognizing and prosecuting cases within this context is essential to dismantling harmful power structures that perpetuate violence.
• Protecting Vulnerable Populations: The determination of the District Attorney’s office, as stated by Assistant D.A. Jazmin Dilligard (“we were not going to give up until we reached justice”), reinforces the state’s responsibility to protect all individuals from violence and ensure their right to safety and security.

Contribution to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The epidemic of domestic violence has severe consequences for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon victims represents a significant public health burden. The harrowing testimony of victim Troy King, who stated, “I was quite sure I was gonna die that night,” underscores the life-threatening nature of these crimes and their lasting impact on mental and physical health. By striving to create a safer environment and holding perpetrators accountable, the justice system contributes to the overall well-being of the community and helps mitigate these negative health outcomes.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on the domestic violence epidemic in Fulton County directly addresses two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

   • SDG 5: Gender Equality

     This goal aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Domestic violence is a significant barrier to this and is explicitly targeted as a form of violence to be eliminated. Although the article mentions a male victim, domestic violence is widely recognized as a form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects women and girls.

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     This goal focuses on promoting peaceful societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions. The article’s core theme is the functioning of the justice system—specifically the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office—in response to a “domestic violence epidemic.” It details the challenges and efforts in prosecuting offenders and seeking justice for victims, which is central to SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s focus on violence and the justice system’s response, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

     The article’s central topic, the “domestic violence epidemic,” directly relates to this target. The specific cases mentioned, involving crimes like “aggravated assault, family violence, false imprisonment, and battery family violence,” are clear examples of the violence this target aims to eliminate.

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

     The article highlights the severity of the violence, with one victim stating, “I was quite sure I was gonna die that night.” The prosecution of violent crimes such as “felony aggravated battery” and “aggravated assault” represents a direct effort to combat and reduce such forms of violence within the community.

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

     The entire narrative is about the pursuit of justice. The District Attorney’s office is described as taking “extraordinary measures to seek justice for victims.” The challenges mentioned, such as hung juries and victims being unwilling to testify due to threats from their abusers, underscore the difficulties in ensuring equal access to justice for vulnerable individuals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article contains several explicit and implied indicators that can measure progress towards the identified targets:

   • Indicator for Target 5.2 and 16.1: Prevalence of reported violence.

     The article states there are “nearly a thousand pending felony cases” of domestic violence. This number serves as a direct quantitative indicator of the volume of severe domestic violence cases reported to and processed by the authorities in Fulton County.

   • Indicator for Target 16.3: Functioning of the justice system.

     The article provides indicators related to the justice process. The number of convictions, such as those of Darrius Berry for “felony aggravated battery” and Christon Tart for multiple charges including “aggravated assault,” serves as an indicator of the justice system’s effectiveness in holding offenders accountable. Conversely, the mention of “hung juries” in one of the trials indicates challenges in achieving judicial outcomes.

   • Indicator for Target 16.3: Barriers to accessing justice.

     The article implies an indicator related to victim participation in the justice process. The case where a victim was “initially unwilling to testify due to threats” highlights a significant barrier to justice. Measuring the rate at which victims are unable or unwilling to participate due to intimidation or fear would be an indicator of the challenges in ensuring equal access to justice.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls.	Number of pending felony domestic violence cases (“nearly a thousand”).
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence.	Number of convictions for violent crimes (e.g., felony aggravated battery, aggravated assault).
   	16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice.	Number of pending felony cases as a measure of demand for justice. Number of successful convictions as a measure of judicial effectiveness. Incidence of hung juries as a challenge to the judicial process. Incidence of victims unwilling to testify due to threats as a barrier to justice.

Source: wsbtv.com