Following the 21 domestic violence deaths in 2007, The Frederick News-Post asked some of the county's key stakeholders in combating the crimes to offer their thoughts on how we, as a community and a society, could move forward to reduce domestic violence. (Responses edited for grammar and style).

The Frederick County Sheriff's Office has always recognized that domestic violence is a serious problem in our community. In dealing with that problem, the Victim Services Unit was developed to specifically assist victims of domestic violence, and it has now grown to assist victims and witnesses of all types of crime, but domestic violence remains the most prominent.

It is imperative that all of our deputies recognize the dynamics of domestic violence and receive training in how to handle those situations both from the law enforcement perspective and the human perspective. Deputies are required to document and write a report on every domestic violence incident they respond to. More serious events are forwarded to detectives for further investigation.

The information reported by the deputies is used as a basis for follow-up by the Victim Services Unit to provide follow-up information on resources and assistance. The "Lethality Assessment Program for First Responders" was implemented under this administration to help deputies to determine the risk factors of a domestic violence relationship.

So where does law enforcement go from here? The sheriff's office recognizes the continued proliferation of domestic violence and is currently developing new policies and procedures for providing more intensive services for handling domestic violence incidents. The sheriff's office also supports tougher laws for protective orders and bigger penalties for suspects and continues to enforce the law against those who break it.

Domestic violence has long been a "family issue" and one that has "stayed behind closed doors." Recent horrific events in Frederick County and across this country have brought this problem out of the closet and to the forefront.

I believe that societal problems including a worsening economy, loss of jobs, breakdown of the family and other social ills have all contributed to the fact that domestic violence events are becoming more frequent and more violent. People need to begin to remove pressures by living within their means, spending better quality time with their families, or simply living a simpler lifestyle. Families or couples with problems (should) take a step back and either get control of their situation or part company before the violence escalates into tragedy. I urge anyone who has a problem in his or her home to take time to get assistance before the situation spirals out of control.