LOUISVLLLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After a 25-year-old New Albany woman was killed, domestic violence experts are stressing the importance of knowing the signs to help families stay safe.
According to data from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 45% of Kentucky women and 35% of Kentucky men experience intimate partner physical violence and/or rape in their lifetimes. On a typical day in Kentucky, local domestic violence hotlines receive more than 19,000 calls.
Elizabeth Martin, president and CEO of the Center for Women and Families in Louisville, said it's important to know the signs of abuse.
"Unfortunately in society we often don't think of abuse other than physical," Martin said.
Kaitlyn Lee was shot and killed by a man with whom Lee had a "toxic relationship" with, according to a witness.
Kaitlyn Lee with her family.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a witness told officers she and the victim, 25-year-old Lee, were making a TikTok video in the kitchen of an apartment when they heard someone banging on the window. Lee asked the person outside "What are you doing here?" Police said the person outside was 25-year-old Joshua Thompson, who's accused of shooting Lee and is charged with her murder.
Joshua Thompson was arrested. The two had a preexisting relationship and she had a no-contact order against him.
Indiana court records show Thompson was charged April 17 with felony "Domestic battery committed in the presence of a child less than 16 years old." Three weeks later, a no contact order was issued against him.
"Domestic violence is and the allegation in this case is such a hard thing because many times it occurs in private," said Floyd County Prosecutor Chris Lane.
Martin said some people don't know how to start getting out of a bad relationship for fear of retaliation.
"The thing we want people to know is leaving is a process," Martin said. "It is not a one-time event. It is a process. So things like gathering your important documents, why don't you go make some copies."
Experts say the first thing to do is make a call to a domestic violence agency so a plan can be created. Also, a person should mention to a friend or family member about what is happening and create a code word.
"So that if things get really dangerous you can text them that code word and they know to call 911 or they know to call and create an interruption."
Most of the time close friends and family may not know what is going on because the victim may start to become less social and hesitant to tell others.
"What we ask of the support system is don't shame and don't judge," Martin said. "Don't ask 'why don't you leave?' No one knows better than a victim why they don't leave. It's not safe, yet."
In many cases, victims think the abuse is their fault and the hesitation to leave can lead to even more trauma.
"Most victims will tell you it's the emotional piece, it's the psychological piece that is more damaging," Martin said. "Wounds heal, injuries heal but the mental and emotional takes a lot longer."
The Center for Women and Families' emergency hotline is 1-844-237-2331. The 24-hour hotline provides crisis response, emergency shelter, sexual assault services and more.
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