Police Quote by Matthew Desmond
““The year the police called Sherrena, Wisconsin saw more than one victim per week murdered by a current or former romantic partner or relative. After the numbers were released, Milwaukee's chief of police appeared on the local news and puzzled over the fact that many victims had never contacted the police for help. A nightly news reporter summed up the chief's views: 'He believes that if police were contacted more often, that victims would have the tools to prevent fatal situations from occurring in the future.' What the chief failed to realize, or failed to reveal, was that his department's own rules presented battered women with a devil's bargain: keep quiet and face abuse or call the police and face eviction.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast on Domestic Violence, 2023
Systemic barriers force victims to choose between safety and stability, perpetuating abuse cycles.
In simple terms: Victims face a harmful choice between help and housing.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for policies protecting victims from eviction.
Themes
domestic violence
policy
justice
Mood
urgent
somber
Type
advocacy
analytical
When to use this quote
- battered women seeking help
- law enforcement response
- housing insecurity
Key Concepts
social systems
victimology
Questions to Reflect On
- What policies could break the eviction‑abuse link?
- How can communities support victims beyond police contact?
A Different Perspective
Legal aid may be insufficient without broader systemic reform.
