Susan Cox Powell's murder, along with her children's premeditated killings at the hands of their father, is a front row seat to missing persons cases, inadequate children and family services, criminal investigations, family court and a community who stood in silence.
The Huffington Post is now reporting on, after two innocent children are blown-up, and releasing numerous emails Susan sent to co-works, friends and family.
Nine emails were provided to the newspaper after Susan Powell disappeared in December 2009, but at the request of the provider, the newspaper held back on publishing them until now.
"Every moment I step back and take stock of what I'm dealing with, it feels like a never ending cycle but I'm too afraid of the consequences (sic) losing my kids, him kidnapping, divorce or actions worse on his part, if I take a stand on one of his ultimatums like spending $20 on the counseling co-pay or cutting off access to my pay check," she wrote.
When Susan Cox Powell vanished, it was disclosed by the oldest of the boys, "mommy went on a camping trip with us but she didn't come back." West Valley city police, for unknown reasons, decided to sit on evidence; blood, child's disclosure, a letter found in Susan's drawer at work stating "if something happens to me." There was enough within weeks to prevent Josh Powell from leaving the state of Utah and making an arrest. What in God's name were they waiting for?
Why are these emails just now surfacing? If Huffington Post thinks this is a "hot news story," they are mistaken. This is pure ignorance to the seriousness of the crime immediately after Susan was reported missing. They had an opportunity and an obligation to either turn those emails over to law enforcement and or report on them in a timely fashion.
Has anyone from a church in the State of Utah taken any pro-active action pertaining to the importance of what to do if a member of their congregation is in an abusive relationship ? They remain as hushed as the victims whose lives are erased. Why? Because intimate violence remains behind closed doors. Susan Cox Powell lived and breathed a crime scene in her own home each time verbal and physical threats were made to her safety. There are others like Susan, sitting in those church pews on Sundays, are we making an effort to help them? The answer is no!
I'm not here to win friends or influence public opinion. Unless you have lived and breathed your childhood and teen years wondering whether you will live or die, you have no room to be upset with anything done to change how the world does not see these crimes of intimate partner violence and homicide.
Pastor Neil Schori wrote on his blog in February:
Churches MUST become safe for #DV Victims
I’ve spoken with many domestic violence activists and also with victims of abuse. One of the most common things they say is that they have not found churches to be supportive of them. Activists tell me that it is almost as if pastors and church leaders don’t actually even hear what they are saying. Victims have told me that pastors have condescendingly told them that they are involved in active sin by attempting to divorce their violent abusers and that they needed to go home and submit and “suffer for Jesus.”
This should make you angry and sad. AND ready to stand up and say NO MORE! The church should be a refuge for victims of abuse. Abusers should look at the church as a dangerous place for them to pull out their false-piety and sugary sweet manipulation.
Jesus came so that we would have overflowing, beautiful life. That certainly includes victims of domestic violence. Will you help us?
Please ask your pastor to talk about domestic violence at your church. Tell your pastor that 5 families in your church can be a part of rescuing the 1.3 million victims of domestic violence in the US each year. Tell your pastor about this incredible resource: http://documenttheabuse.com
I’d love to add you to our growing list of safe families for victims of domestic violence. Send me a message if you are interested in learning how.
Since the disappearance of Stacy Peterson on October 28, 2007, Pastor Schori is working to get the faith based communities across the counrty on board with the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit located on the Document The Abuse. com site.
Maybe the Huffington Post can write about what is actually working to save lives. Printing these emails now is a crime all by itself!
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Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education as a educator and specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies directing prevention for high risk situations and cases.
