11 October 2004
Governor Forms Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board; Names Former Attorney General Bob Stephan, Chair
Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed an executive order establishing a 14-member Governor’s Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board and signed a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence awareness month. The Board is charged with reviewing all adult domestic violence-related fatalities, describing trends and patterns regarding the facts and circumstances of these fatalities, recommending improvements to prevent future fatalities, and determining if adequate resources and training are in place for those who respond to domestic violence crimes.
Governor Sebelius’ commitment to addressing domestic violence started long before she was elected as governor. As one of the founding members of the Battered Women’s Task Force in Shawnee County, she used to facilitate weekly group meetings with victims of domestic violence at the YWCA, helped to raise funds and organize the Topeka Shelter. She also fought successfully for the mandatory arrest law and for additional fees for shelters in the Kansas Legislature.
“I am deeply committed to improving services for domestic violence victims and survivors and recommending improvements to prevent domestic violence-related fatalities,” said Governor Sebelius “I look forward to working with this outstanding group and appreciate their knowledge and expertise in victims’ rights issues as we strive to improve the safety and prevention of domestic violence victims in Kansas.”
Governor Sebelius selected former Kansas Attorney General Robert Stephan to chair the Board in recognition of his dedication and commitment to crime victims. During his tenure, he created a task force to look into the status of victims’ rights in Kansas. Through these efforts, laws were enacted to afford basic rights for victims of crime. Stephan’s leadership also led to numerous laws regarding domestic violence, such as, the requirement that all law enforcement agencies adopt written policies when responding to domestic violence calls and to make an arrest if probable cause exists. Additionally, clarification to the Protection From Abuse Order law was strengthened, making it a crime if violated.
“I am grateful that Governor Sebelius realizes the enormity of the problem of domestic violence and has formed a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board to assist victims and seek solutions,” said Stephan. He continued, “As the son of a beloved mother who was a victim of domestic violence I assume the position as chair of the board with first hand knowledge of the problem and a commitment to do everything possible to find ways to stop this despicable crime.”
The other Board members include Judge Harold Flaigle, Dave Warry, Dr. Mary Dudley, Steven Halley, Sandra Barnett, Brandelyn Nichols, Sara Welch, Janice Norlin, Margaret Haghirian, Carol Rood, Susan Moran, Andria Cooper and Sgt. Troy Hensley. Governor Sebelius selected members who are in the field and work on domestic violence issues on a daily basis.
Judge Flaigle, Sedgwick County, is a Sedgwick County District Court judge in Division Six. He served on the Attorney General’s Violence Against Women Committee from 1995-2000. Judge Flaigle is a former administrative judge for Wichita Municipal Court where he developed a domestic violence court program. As former President of the Kansas Municipal Court Judges Association he provided statewide training to judges on rights for domestic violence and crime victims.
Warry, Reno County, is the Assistant Director for the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. He is responsible for basic training of law enforcement officers. He has instructed thousands of law enforcement officers on the topic of domestic violence through basic and advanced training courses. Warry is a retired Police Captain and Commander of the Wichita Police Training Academy.
Dr. Dudley, Sedgwick County, is a District Coroner for Sedgwick County. She is an associate professor for the University of Kansas School of Medicine and member of the Trauma Review Team for three hospitals in Wichita. Dr. Dudley also is a former member of the Arizona State Child Death Review Board.
Halley, LSCSW, Crawford County, is the Clinical Director of Halley Counseling Services, P.A. in Girard, Kansas. He is a co-facilitator of the “Alternatives to Battering Program” that is delivered to domestic violence perpetrators.
Barnett, Shawnee County, is the Executive Director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence in Topeka. Barnett serves on several national, regional and local boards regarding domestic violence and has provided training and presentations on domestic violence and sexual assault.
Nichols, Wyandotte County, is a city prosecutor with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County Legal Department. She prosecutes misdemeanor domestic violence cases in municipal court, assists domestic violence victims in finding community resources and participates in organizations aimed at ending domestic violence in Kansas City, Kansas.
Welch, Johnson County, is an Assistant District Attorney in the Trial Division for Johnson County. She was co-counsel on the St. v. John E. Robinson trial in 2000 to 2002. Welch also is a certified Kansas law enforcement officer and worked for the Arvada Colorado and Leawood Kansas Police Departments and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
Norlin, Saline County, is an attorney in private practice with Marietta, Kellogg and Price in Salina. She is a former Staff Attorney for the Kansas Legal Services.
Haghirian, Wyandotte County, is a Parole Officer with Kansas City, Kansas. She is a member of the Domestic Violence Committee for Kansas Parole Services.
Rood, Sedgwick County, is a Court Services Officer with Sedgwick County District Court. She conducts child custody investigations, protection from abuse intakes, protection from staking intakes and presentence investigations. In addition, she has served on the Victims Access to the Courts Project Advisory Committee.
Moran, Lyon County, is the Executive Director of SOS, Inc. in Emporia. She has been affiliated with SOS both as a volunteer and board member since 1976. SOS aids domestic violence and sexual assault victims, provides emergency response and follow-up assistance for victims and collaborates with other community agencies in meeting the special needs of victims of personal violence.
Cooper, Ellis County, serves as Assistant Professor of Justice Studies at Fort Hays State University. Her areas of research are victimology, victim advocacy, criminal and civil law and her work has been published in a variety of outlets. She is former Assistant Ellis County Attorney where she prosecuted domestic and sexual violence cases.
Hensley, Riley County, has served as a Domestic Violence Investigator for three years with the Riley County Police Department. He has been with the department for nine years.
