This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Utahns are often referred to as happy, friendly people. Yet the syrupy smiles and overly boisterous small talk mask a more authentic darkness.

Over the last 16 years, domestic violence homicides accounted for 42 percent of all statewide homicides. That is higher than the national average of 30 percent.

While Utah isn't in the top 10 for domestic violence rates in America, we still have a problem.

Ned Searle of the state Office on Domestic and Sexual Violence says, "Utah women have more to fear from men they know than from any stranger." Girls just aren't taught to expect harm from those they love. They're taught to park under a light, check under their car from afar, carry keys pointed out or a whistle or mace spray. Women are wholly unprepared for domestic violence situations with a friend, boyfriend or spouse.

One in four women and one in seven men have experienced severe physical violence by a partner.

The issue is relevant now because of the recent murder of Memorez Rackley and her 6-year-old son. Jenn Oxborrow of the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition claims the police missed an opportunity to save lives in Rackley's situation. Sandy police explain they did instruct Rackley to stay at a friend's house, explained how to obtain a protective order and sent a patrol to watch her house. They said if Rackley and Jeremy Patterson had been married, or had been living together, they would have been obligated to find him and perhaps arrest him.

But Oxborrow maintains they missed the warning signs of Patterson's more nefarious behavior. If they had called a victim advocate, she claims, Rackley could be alive today.

So what can be done? Police can't be responsible to investigate or arrest every persistent spurned lover, especially where no legal basis exists.

Any stalking incident that includes mention of weapons, like Rackley's case, should be investigated immediately. If police are constrained legally, they should call a victim's advocate program or nearby shelter and resource center. Police forces should take advantage of free training programs like the Lethality Assessment Protocol.

Where at least 25 percent of domestic violence abuse is perpetrated by a former boyfriend, a legal definition that excludes such relationships is too limiting, and the Legislature should broaden the definition.

The University of Utah is enforcing a new requirement that all students and new employees complete an online sexual assault awareness course. This should help.

Overall, the Legislature and Utah's police forces should take a more active and aggressive stance against domestic violence. It's time to stop covering up this dirty little secret.