The legal system once again, turned a deaf ear on a woman who did everything in her power to remain alive. In dangerous abusive relationships the legal system continues to provide an open road to offenders in these cases. In allowing offenders who are criminals to continue the abuse and manipulate a system, that still behaves like these cases are "a private family, matter. Hogwash!
First, the laws on the books often do very little for anyone in a dangerous abusive life threatening relationship. The courts need to toughen up and put the criminal offender away.
Second, Why not use the same no nonsense approach that is used for child predators? Or even drunk driving offences. Cindy did not select to be beaten and abused. She defended herself in obtaining numerous court orders, contacting the police each time there was a violation of the court order, she installed camera's in her home.
She retained her residence and the same place of employment, and, took extra precautions living like a prisoner in her own environment.
Former boyfriend kills real estate agent in murder-suicide-The highlighted link provides the story:
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=150307
There are many additional strategies she may have been able to apply like move totally out of the state. Have her name changed legally by a court. Have no contact with friends or family. And possibly change professions so she could not be located.
These type of violent "serial" relationships have become all too common.
And the strategies for these women must now take a new direction if they are to remain alive.
Some of what must happen is that the laws must be strengthened for these dangerous offenders.
Another important aspect is the information highway that we all use with great ease must have tighter controls. The credit card companies, cable, telephone, utilities, all must either on their own or with the nudging of our legislature enact safety measures where information cannot come back to the victim once they have relocated in order to save their lives.
We can all begin by contacting our legislature. Or we can form a task force that will light the behinds of the legal system to do more than shuffle papers and yawn.
I especially would like to see those in the real esate industry get behind this silent epidemic that has tragically claimed one of your own.
If you are interested in really being effective and having your voice heard to deal with this epidemic : please contact me with your ideas at: contact@movingoutmovingon.com or you can visit the website at http://www.movingoutmovingon.com/
15 comments:
I have just read what Cindy's brother wrote and being the mother of 3 daughters, I felt the need to reply. I saw Cindy one time but did not have the privilage of getting to know her. However 2 of my daughters worked with Cindy at Darwin and spoke very highly of her. My daughter called me Friday afternoon from work and was veryb upset. She told me that her fellow co-worker and friend had just been shot outside the door of her work. My heart sank. I felt totally helpless knowing there was nothing i could do. It's a parents worst nightmare to get that horrible phone call. I can't imagine with all my heart what this poor family is going through. We live in a world of being frightened, sad and not knowing who is lurking behind every corner. I understand Cindy tried so hard to stop this madness and I feel that our system failed her and her family. This man should have never been released from the mental hospital or even jail. Although we can't bring Cindy back, I completely agree with her brother. Please write to your legislator with your concerns to make a difference. Obviously this man, or should I say "coward", should have never been able to purchase any guns.
Visitation 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday, at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd.,
1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd. (4 blocks South of Palatine Rd.),
Arlington Heights,
and from 10 a.m. until time of
funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Friday, at
St. Anne Catholic Church,
306 Franklin, Barrington.
Interment Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Cynthia L. Bischof Memorial Fund (to support Women's Issues), C/O Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., appreciated. Information www.GlueckertFH.com 847-253-0168.
Cynthia was a commercial real estate broker and principal with Darwin Realty and Development Corp. in Elmhurst where she has been employed is various capacities since 1999. She graduated from Prospect High School, attended Indiana University and graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelors of Finance degree. Cynthia has worked in the real estate business since 1987 and was recognized leader in the real estate industry both locally and nationally. She received numerous awards including Featured in Midwest Real Estate News 2007 "Forty Plus Over 40" edition; Member of Chicago Industrial Properties (CIP) Editorial Board 2008-2009; Named One of Midwest's Powerful Women in Real Estate 2006; Class of 2006 "Women in Real Estate" in Illinois Real Estate Journal; Profile in Midwest Real Estate News in 2005; Profiles in Illinois Real Estate Journal in 1999 and 2004; Profile in Real Estate Chicago in 2002; Profile in Crain's Chicago Business and Illinois Real Estate Journal in 1999; Finalist for Crain's Chicago Business "40 Under 40" in 1999; Industrial Broker of the Year in 1999 selected by nearly 600 peers at the Greater Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards dinner; Top Producer Midwest Region for Insignia/ESG in 1998; and Rookie of the Year for Grubb and Ellis in 1989.
Cindy was a member of Association of Industrial Real Estate Brokers (AIRE), Northern Illinois Commercial Association of Realtors (NICAR), Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR), Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC), Northwest Indiana Forum (NWI Forum)
My heart aches as Cindy's family prepares for her funeral. She did not deserve to die this way. It hurts more when you know the person .
Cindy was a lovely woman with a genuine heart to boot. We will miss her.
This was a tragic story, one that did not have to happen. Unfortunately we are seeing far too many thugs and other assorted violent criminals turned loose by the revolving door criminal justice system. Liberal, soft-on-crime, slap-on-the-wrist judges, deal-making ADAs intent on bolstering their conviction rates with weak plea deals, probation and parole arrangements not having any effect. Essentially the social worker approach to criminal justice.
Whether it's Michael Giroux, who should have been locked up for longer than two months and should never have received two months home confinement and what the Chicago Tribune called "intensive probation," or some sexual predator or child rapist/molester, the safety and well-being of law-abiding citizens is put at risk.
Here in Wisconsin recently, the state tried to put a violent Chpater 980 sexual predator in a neighborhood with children without a shred of notification because a deacon from a nearby Catholic Church vouched for what a good guy he was.
The system is breaking down all over, the media reports on it only after someone dies as a result. It's slanted toward protecting the thugs and not the innocent.
Wonder if the liberal judge who let Giroux out can be recalled or voted out when he has to face the voters again.
I wrote about this case here. One of my passions is the revolving door criminal justice system.
The legal system is definately broken.
I watched the video at the top and the authors remarks say it best "why should victims have to jump thru hoops to safe their life" that sums it up. Cindy Bischof did everything should was the told system would do. But it seems that let a killer back out. He wasn't stable none of these guys ever are. I pray for Cindy and others like her.
Just shows that protection orders are nothing more then a piece of useless paper.
I returned from an out-of-state conference yesterday and was stunned to see Cindy's beautiful smile on the front page of the Chicago Tribune, headlining not accolades of her success but the horrific story of her murder. Cindy was a high school friend and although we were not in close contact, we'd touch base from time to time. My heart breaks for her many MANY close friends and family members - they have lost an amazing woman. I am sending prayers that your grief will be eased by your happy memories of Cindy. Please, please, please - we must work to change our legal system so that stalkers and abusers are kept behind bars. I have been in Cindy's situation and still fear my abuser will snap one day. More needs to be done to prevent these tragedies. Godspeed, Cindy. I will do whatever I can to insure no other woman is terrorized or harmed.
The justice system is definitely broke. As a victim myself, I commend the agencies out there doing the best they can with what they have. However it is not enough. You must speak out and protest the actions taken by courts. We must ask the judicial system to increase the penalties and jail time for these offenders. A slap on the wrist for the offender sends the wrong message. Offenders have no real fear or consequences for thier actions when they get probation, minor fines and penalties. Lets make the laws and sentencing stricter. We need to send a clear message that abuse will not be tolerated. Offenders need to compensate victims finacnially as well when households depend on muliple incomes. Women stay in these relationships because financially they cannot manage alone. We have many government agencies helping with welfare, immigration, social security,etc. Where are the agencies to assist women or domestic partners in these crimes. Where do these victims go to receive aid and assistance other than shelters, hotlines etc. Lets make our voices heard and let there never be another Cindy incident again. Lets make the offenders feel like the offenders with a lasting impression, and victims feel less like the criminal .
My heart goes out to the family of Cindy Bischof –Thank you for your courage!
I am one of the lucky one’s as I am a survivor of domestic abuse and cyberstalking. I know first hand that the pathway to freedom and to becoming a survivor is full of obstacles for victim's.
Restraining orders are for now are useless pieces of paper-but they are better than nothing.
Finally, there is hope thanks to Cindy’s family. The families courage and strength to help strengthen restraining orders and to provide for legislation that will allow the use of GPS technology will help save lives.
Restraining orders will become powerful tools rather than the worthless pieces of paper that they are today.
Restraining order violations will no longer be a matter of, “He said –she said”.
I hope that this proposed legislation that has passed in Massachusetts and is currently before the legislature in the state of Illinois will become federal law; as victim’s and their family members need this protection.
Currently my wife is under what I would consider to be a “weak” order of protection. This order stems from her being arrested for domestic battery.
The order prohibits her from being intoxicated in the residence or in front of me or our children. Her order also prohibits her from harassing me. Since receiving her order, she has been arrested for domestic battery two additional times.
At the time of each of her arrests, she admitted to attacking me. With each of her arrests for domestic battery, my injuries were visible. With each arrest, in the police officers opinion she was intoxicated. At her third arrest, the police found her to be intoxicated with a breathalyzer test. At her second arrest, part of the evidence against her was the transcript of the 911 tape that clearly shows she was attacking me while I was on the phone with the 911 operator.
The police have been to the house many times other than when my wife was arrested. One particular time, my wife threw hot coffee on me in front of our children. Consequently, I dialed 911. When the police arrived, they refused to arrest my wife because she said she, “Accidentally bumped into me.” The police also refused to speak with our children who witnessed this event, because they “Did not want to get the kids involved.” Furthermore while I was speaking to one of the police officers, he told me that I needed to deal with this, “Like a man.”
In court, her defense attorney made me out to be the “bad guy” because after her first attack, I filed for divorce. At her two most recent trials, the judge somehow found her not guilty because the evidence was “not beyond a reasonable doubt.” The judge also scolded me for trying to solve my domestic problems in criminal court.
I've been married once. One of the reason I am no longer married is my now ex-wife hit me twice. Sent me to teach school one day with a black eye. I was terrified of her unpredictable temper.
Illinois and Wisconsin are the only two states that do not allow conceal-carry. I am an ardent supporter of CCW because it would have given people like Cindy Bischof a fighting chance. Giroux might not have tried victimizing her if there was a chance she was carrying.
But until there is a change in the political leadership in both states in both the Legislature and the governor (both governors have a chance of winding up in a perp walk for corruption in office anyway), neither state is likely to join the other 48.
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