Communications

Lucy Rios, executive director, Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Hopkinton, R.I., July 8, 2024 – We are devastated by another preventable domestic violence homicide in Rhode Island, that took the beautiful life of 44-year-old Stephanie Francis on Friday. She was killed by her estranged husband, 45-year-old Joseph Francis, at the home that Stephanie and her children were residing in after a separation from Francis.

Stephanie was a mother, a friend, a family member, and a community member of Hopkinton, RI. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, and her loss is grieved by the entire Rhode Island community. Stephanie should be with us today. This horrendous act of violence is a stark reminder of the need to strengthen Rhode Island’s systems responses to domestic abuse.

We are heartbroken that Stephanie’s children were present in the home at the time of the murder and will now go through life without their mom. Children who witness domestic violence can experience many negative physical, emotional, psychological, and behavioral impacts. Our state must do more to invest in the services and resources that can support these children to heal, and in the public policies that increase parent, child, and family well-being and can help prevent abuse before it starts.

There are several factors that increase the likelihood domestic violence will escalate to homicide, including when a victim has recently left the relationship, and severe lethality risk when the abuser has access to a firearm. Of the 26 domestic violence homicides that occurred in RI between 2016 and 2020, 42% involved a firearm. In this case, the perpetrator had four recent domestic violence and criminal charges against him, including a firearms charge for possessing a large-capacity feeding device.

It is extremely important that all of our systems, from law enforcement to the courts, fully implement and utilize the domestic violence and gun safety laws that we have in Rhode Island, and receive enhanced training on when a domestic violence situation poses heightened lethality risk, to protect the safety of victims and their families. In 2017, the state passed the Protect RI Families Act, which removes firearms from the hands of domestic abusers who are convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes or subject to DV restraining orders. In 2018, RI passed an important gun safety measure called the Red Flag Law. It allows law enforcement to petition the RI Superior Court for an “extreme risk protection order” to disarm an individual when they pose an imminent risk of harm to themselves or others. RI also has a law banning bump stocks and other rapid-fire gun modifications.

Ensuring common-sense gun laws like the Red Flag Law are effectively implemented in Rhode Island can be crucial in saving the life of a victim. It is also critical that the safety net of services for victims and their children is strong and well-resourced. Domestic violence homicides are preventable. We need all our systems to work together to protect victims of domestic abuse.

For information about supporting children who witness domestic violence, visit our website at: Children Who Witness – Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ricadv.org)

For support in speaking with children about this violence and loss of life, visit this resource that provides information about how to talk about trauma and violence with children.  https://www.mainehealth.org/care-services/pediatric-care-child-health/adverse-childhood-experiences-trauma/talking-children-about-trauma

For more information about resources available for survivors of domestic violence and how you can help, visit our website at www.ricadv.org. If you or someone you know needs assistance, call the statewide confidential 24/7 RI Victims of Crime Helpline at 1-800-494-8100. The Helpline is also available via online chat at www.ricadv.org.

About DVRC: Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County (DVRCSC) is a nonprofit agency that works toward a future free of violence and to build a community in which each individual shares the responsibility to create a culture of safety and personal dignity. DVRCSC works collaboratively to offer safety, support, advocacy, education and a network of services to the residents of Washington County and is dedicated to both preventing and responding to domestic violence by working to change the social conditions, beliefs and social actions that perpetuate abuse. Visit our website for additional information on all of our services: www.dvrcsc.org.

About the RICADV: The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) is an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence. The RICADV was formed in 1979 to support and assist the domestic violence agencies in Rhode Island and to provide statewide leadership on the issue. The organization strives to create justice for victims and raises awareness on the issue of domestic violence in Rhode Island. The RICADV’s network of ten member agencies provides a wide array of services for victims, including emergency shelter, support groups, counseling services and assistance with the legal system. For more information about these organizations and services, call the statewide Helpline at 800-494-8100. And for more information about the RICADV, call us at 401-467-9940 or visit us online at www.ricadv.org.