Domestic Violence and Teen Dating
The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV) defines domestic violence as physical, mental, sexual or emotional abuse in an intimate relationship. It occurs when one person uses abusive tactics to gain power and control over a partner or former partner.
First and foremost, if you are in a situation that you feel puts you or anyone else in danger, seek help immediately.
One of the most unrecognized instances of domestic violence occurs among dating teenagers. This happens for several reasons, but on top of the list is that young dating couples often don’t know what to expect of the dating experience or how to handle their emotions. It is important to set boundaries and expectations with kids from a young age, before they ever begin dating so they know what to look for and don’t become victims of violent dating scenarios.
Young men should be taught that treating their female partners with respect and kindness should be a character trait of masculinity. Often times young men believe that they should have the ability, or even the right, to “control” their partners in any way necessary. They also tend to believe that in order to be men, they should be physically aggressive rather than attentive and supportive of their girlfriends.
Young women should be taught that jealousy, possessiveness and physical abuse has no part to play in a healthy relationship. They need to know that abuse is not normal and that they have a trusted adult to come to in case such characteristics exist in their relationship. Often they quickly become afraid of leaving an abusive situation. These fears can lead them to not talk to a parent or guardian about abuse if not taught otherwise.
There are early warning signs in abusive situations. Teens need to be aware of what those warning signs are so they can avoid such relationships.
- Published in Divorce
Convicted Rapist Receives Additional Sentencing
Mark Anthony Beecham has a list of charges turned convictions that will keep him behind bars for 744 years.
Beecham appears nonchalant as he was led into the courtroom to hear the judge read the verdicts to him. The convictions are brutal and carry long sentences each. Beecham was ordered by Judge Kevin Moulton to serve 99 years each for the three sodomy convictions. He then added to that 99 years each on two different rape convictions and another 99 years on a kidnapping conviction. The lesser charges were 10 years for jumping bail and 20 years for theft. But these charges were just for one of the women he attacked in his extensive criminal career. That attack occurred in 2006.
He had already been sentenced to for another brutal attack of another Dothan woman in 2006, for which he received 100 years in prison. Upon sentencing, he was already serving a 20 year sentence for the kidnapping and rape of a Tallahassee college student in 2007.
One of the victims, according to Beecham, had traded drugs for sex. He says that he had supplied her with cocaine and that they had a history of consensual sex, including the day for which he was standing trial. Beecham testified that the woman owed him $175, but that she only had $100 to pay him offering to trade the other $75 for sex. The jury didn’t see it that way.
After long deliberations, the verdict was reached by jurors. Guilty on all charges. Beecham will return to Florida to finish serving his time for the Tallahassee conviction first.
- Published in Criminal Law