FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- Governor Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday (April 1) signed a law that will change the way law enforcement officers handle domestic violence reports.
"I mean that could be really an eye-opening experience for victims, perhaps, to realize 'Hey I am, my children, whatever the case is -- we're in great danger here,” Lt. Philip Pevehouse said.
Lieutenant Philip Pevehouse of the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office is talking about a lethality assessment, a set of questions law enforcement officers will have to ask when responding to domestic violence incidents.
"I could speak for every deputy probably in the state of Arkansas, and every police officer -- that's our goal. We signed up to serve folks and to help people, and when somebody's going through a hard time, then we're gonna do whatever it takes,” Pevehouse said.
The questions evaluate the level of risk the victim is facing, like whether the offender has access to weapons, has ever strangled the victim of if the victim feels the offender is jealous.
The legislation is named "Laura’s Law" after Laura Aceves. The mother of three was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in Carroll County in 2012.
Amy Jo Carr Williams is the shelter director at the Fort Smith Crisis Intervention Center.
"Domestic violence is physical, sexual or mental abuse," Carr Williams said.
She said "Laura's Law" will make a difference for other victims of domestic abuse.
"I am so grateful that the state is following suit with other states and getting serious, and understanding domestic violence and the dynamics of what a victim feels,” she said.
Carr Williams said 138 women and 118 children took shelter at the center in 2014.
The still photos in this story are from the "Remember Laura Acevez" Facebook page.