BOSTON -- Have you heard of an incident like this? After moving twice with two kids and obtaining three restraining orders against her abuser he is now at her front door. Will it end like the recent Medfield murder-suicide? In 2007 Massachusetts reported 55 deaths resulting from domestic abuse, three times the total in 2005. We are in crisis and need to ask ourselves:

How many domestic abuse cases are there and what happens as victims flow through the system? Why is there so little data? Some are calling for a statewide audit to examine policy and practices on how we can do better.

Is there enough coordination among police, probation and victim services to assess urgency? Cities like Newburyport and Worcester have high-risk assessment teams that partner to contain dangerous abusers while providing services to victims.

Are there enough shelters, services and advocacy for victims?

Why not mandate certified programs to treat and track all batterers, even as early as high school?

Is it time to pass a bill, sponsored again by Essex District Attorney Jonathon Blodgett, allowing courts to double the sentences of frequent batterers?

For those at risk, the state hot line is 1-877-785-2020. As relatives, neighbors and co-workers, we must watch for warning signs and offer help. Imagine the immediate reduction in these crimes if we applied zero tolerance to domestic abuse.