‘Seeking Sister Wife’ star Garrick Merrifield arrested – Reports – USA Today

Incident Report: Domestic Violence Allegations and Sustainable Development Goal Implications

Summary of Events

• Subject: Garrick Merrifield, a public figure from the television program “Seeking Sister Wife.”
• Incident: Arrested in Chaffee County, Colorado.
• Charges: Misdemeanor domestic violence and obstruction of telephone service.
• Status: Released from custody on bond pending legal proceedings.

Contextual Background

• The subject is a central figure in a documented polygamous family.
• The arrest occurred subsequent to the family’s public announcement of the birth of a new child.
• Prior public statements by the subject described the family’s co-parenting dynamic as supportive and beneficial.

Analysis in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 5: Gender Equality

This incident directly relates to the targets of SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

1. Target 5.2 (Eliminate Violence Against Women): The charge of domestic violence is a direct contravention of the global objective to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in both public and private spheres. Such incidents are significant barriers to achieving gender equality.
2. Target 5.1 (End Discrimination): The power dynamics inherent in domestic disputes, particularly the charge of obstructing telephone service, highlight mechanisms that can disempower women and deny them access to safety and support systems, perpetuating discrimination.
3. Women’s Empowerment: The case raises critical questions about the safety, autonomy, and well-being of women within complex family structures, emphasizing the need for social and legal frameworks that protect all women, irrespective of their marital or family arrangements.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The legal response to the allegations is a key component of SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.

1. Target 16.1 (Reduce Violence): This case is a microcosm of the broader societal challenge to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
2. Target 16.3 (Promote the Rule of Law): The arrest and ensuing judicial process demonstrate the function of state institutions in upholding the rule of law and providing access to justice for all. The charge of obstructing telephone service specifically points to an alleged attempt to impede access to these justice mechanisms.
3. Accountable Institutions: The response by the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office represents the role of accountable institutions in addressing violence and ensuring that such allegations are formally investigated.

Additional SDG Considerations

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Domestic violence poses a severe threat to the physical and mental health of victims and has lasting negative impacts on the well-being of all family members, especially children. Ensuring safe environments is fundamental to achieving healthy lives for all.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Violence against women is a manifestation of and a contributor to gender-based inequality. Addressing such violence is crucial for promoting social inclusion and ensuring that all individuals can participate fully and safely in society.

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The issues highlighted in the article, specifically the arrest for domestic violence, are directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This goal aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Domestic violence is a severe form of gender-based violence and a major obstacle to achieving this goal. The article’s focus on a “domestic violence charge” brings this SDG into relevance.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective institutions. The article discusses a criminal act (“domestic violence,” “obstructing telephone service”) and the response of the justice system (“arrested,” “released from jail on bond,” “Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office”), which are central themes of SDG 16.

2. Specific SDG Targets

Based on the article’s content, 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 “misdemeanor domestic violence” charge reported in the article is a direct example of the type of violence this target aims to eliminate. Domestic violence occurs in the private sphere and is a critical component of violence against women and girls.

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

  The act of domestic violence is a clear instance of the “forms of violence” that this target seeks to reduce. The arrest signifies an effort by institutions to address such violence.

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

  The article mentions that Merrifield was “arrested on charges” and that the “Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office” was involved. This demonstrates the functioning of the rule of law and the justice system in response to a crime. Furthermore, the charge of “obstructing telephone service” is particularly relevant as it describes an act intended to prevent a victim from accessing justice or emergency services, which this target aims to protect.

3. Mentioned or Implied Indicators

The article does not provide statistical data, but it implies the use of indicators to measure progress through its reporting on the specific incident:

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

  The report of a “domestic violence” charge serves as a qualitative data point. Official indicators like 5.2.1 (Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to intimate partner violence) and 16.1.3 (Proportion of population subjected to physical, psychological or sexual violence) rely on the reporting and recording of such incidents. The news article itself documents an event that would contribute to these statistics.

• Implied Indicator for Target 16.3: Reporting of violence and access to justice.

  The fact that an arrest was made implies that the incident was reported to the authorities. This relates to indicator 16.3.1 (Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities). The charge of “obstructing telephone service” highlights a direct barrier to this indicator, as it is an attempt to prevent reporting and block access to justice.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: usatoday.com