RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence Warns of Stalking Dangers Following Homicide of RI Mother
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) issued a statement following the domestic violence homicide of Brandi Berg.
Berg was shot by Steven Fregeolle on Saturday in the parking lot of a shopping center in North Attleboro, Massachusetts.
As GoLocalProv reported, Fregeolle was found dead of an apparent suicide in Charlestown on Sunday.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTTonya Harris, executive director of the RICADV released the following statement:
We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Brandi Berg, a 37-year-old woman and mother of Riverside, Rhode Island, who was fatally shot by Steven Fregeolle on Saturday at a busy shopping center parking lot in North Attleboro, Mass.
We send our deepest condolences to Brandi’s loved ones, the Riverside community, and all who have been impacted by this violent crime. Brandi was a kind soul, loving mother, and good friend. She was loved and will be remembered by all those who knew her.
Reports of her death allude to Brandi being stalked by Fregeolle before her murder. Stalking, a felony in Rhode Island law, is defined as harassing, or willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly following another person with the intent to place that person in fear of injury. Studies show almost 76% of victims of domestic violence homicides are stalked by their abusers in the year leading up to their murder. While we do not know all the details of the case, we know stalking is a risk factor that increases the likelihood of domestic violence homicide.
Stalkers use fear to terrorize victims as a way to maintain power and control by using several tactics, including showing up at places the victim frequents and excessive unwanted contact through texting, calling, emailing, and social media. These behaviors cause the victim to have to constantly look over their shoulder and feel helpless and vulnerable.
Domestic violence perpetrators and stalkers feel ownership over victims, and have a false belief they have the right to control all aspects of the victim’s life, homicide being the ultimate form of control. This false sense of entitlement fuels the prevalence of men’s violence against women and girls in our society.
Despite the seriousness of stalking, our society downplays and normalizes these behaviors. The number of formal stalking charges are low, and convictions even lower. It is imperative to strengthen laws to hold abusers accountable by enforcing our existing laws and available risk screenings. As a community, we must address and reject the culture of toxic and violent behavior.
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