28 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, September 23, 1997 SPECIAL EDITION Nortlwood feels grief in loss of friend 0 * Neighbors described Williams as an "excellent friend," and a "caring and giv- ing" person By Jodi S. Cohen Daily Managing News Editor The laughter of small children that usually is so abundant in the Northwood apartment complex on North Campus was replaced today with tears, shock and grief. Friends and neighbors of Tamara Sonya Williams, a 20-year- old LSA senior, wondered how the life of such an "excellent friend" and a "caring and giving" person could end in such hor- rific tragedy. "We are a very close community. I feel safe up here. The kids all play together" said Chris Balmann, 27, who lives just a few doors away from Williams. "This is just a tragic, freak event." As media swarmed around the red, wooden apartment build- ings, University students who live in the quiet neighborhood gathered in the grassy areas to comfort each other. "I feel a lot of grief for the little girl. This is rather fresh right now," said Margaret Vantteyningon, who was visibly shaken by "We are a very close community, Ifeel safe up here. The kids all play together. This is just a tragic, freak event." - Chris Balmann Neighbor the murder. Vantteyningon was one of the first residents to call 911. Vantteynignon's grief was as strong as the feel- ing of hopelessness she had on the phone hours earlier. She said she felt the situation was so des- perate while she called for help, the community's assistance could never have made a difference in the end. "Calling 911 wasn't enough," Vantteyningon said. "The woman was desperately calling for help. She knew she was in great danger." The residents in this secluded community, who are usually consumed by day care, work and school, took time today to wipe away the tears and comfort each other through the startling tragedy. "None of us slept last night" Balmann said. "It's terrible" While the tragedy struck the Northwood community the hard- est, University students, faculty and staff around the entire cam- pus were affected by the murder. "This is a loss for the entire University of Michigan communi- ty - all of us grieve with her and her family during this very sad period," said Walter Harrison, vice president for University rela- tions, at a press conference this morning. WARREN ZINN/Oaily Above, Vice President for Student Affairs Maureen Hartford, Director of Housing Alan Levy and police and housing offlolals remove Tamara Williams' personal possessions from her apartment and load them into her car for transport to her family members. Williams' Northwood Family Housing residence, No. 2253. The incident, which occurred at about 12:15 a.m., stirred up so much attention that resi- dents trying to call the Department of Public Safety could not get through. "I tried to get through three times before I actually got through," said Balmann, as he clutched his 1-year- old daughter, Hanna. Eric Lucisk, the director of "Tisis Ia loss for the - Walter Harrison Vice President for University Relations University family housing, said about five counselors were spending today talking with residents. "It is very unfortunate that a situation could happen like this in Ann Arbor - of all places," Lucisk said. Death from domestic violence not rare Expert says domestic violence murders are a nationwide problem By JefryKosseff Daily Staff Reporter LSA senior Tamara Williams' tragic death at the hands of her boyfriend is not an uncommon end to domestic abuse cases. Deaths resulting from domestic violence occur nationwide, said a University sexual assault expert. Sarah Heuser, interim director of the University's Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center, said many victims may die after aggravated domestic vio- lence. "The possility of lethality always exists with domestic abuse," heuser said. "It's not uncommon to get to this point." The signs of domestic abuse, Heuser said, include intimidation from the abuser and alienation from fam- ily and friends. Many abusers also stalk their victims at the workplace, she said. In Michigan a woman is killed every five days as a result of domestic violence, Heuser said. "In our society, this is unfortunately common," she said. FBI statistics states that in 30 percent of all homi- cides committed against females, the woman's boyfriend or husband is the murderer. SAPAC's counseling and advocacy program received 17 reports of dating and domestic violence from June 1996 to June 1997, while its crisis line received an additional 11 reports during that period. The domestic violence rate at the University, Heuser said, follows a nationwide trend. "On our campus, the rate is consistent with other campuses that have similar prevention programs,' Heuser said. Heuser said college and university students are just as likely to be involved in domestic violence as non- students. "The risk is equal to other groups," Heuser said. The severity of domestic violence progresses over time, Heuser said. "This is a pattern that develops over time;' Heuser said. "As time goes on the abuse gets more frequent. Although Williams was African American, Heuser said the victim's race does not affect the "Domestic violence is not discriminating. The same statistics go for every race. Domestic abuse among people who are dating, Heuser said, is not rare. "It is not uncommon to have violence in dating rela- tionships;' Heuser said. SAPAC offers counseling services through a 24- hour hotline, as well as many other prevention pro- grams. The phone number for the 24-hour crisis hot- line is 936-3333. Ae you In an abusive relationship? Are you: 1 Frightened at times by your partner's behavior? Afraid to disagree with your partner? t Constantly apologizing for your partner's behav ior (especially when he has treated you badly)? 4 Verbally degraded? 1 Not able to see your friends or family because of his jealousy? 0 Afraid to break up with your partner because he has threatened to hurt you or himself? Do you: A Feel like you must justify everything you do to avoid his anger? n Avoid family or social situations because you are afraid of how your partner will act? Have you been: Hit, kicked, shoved, thrown down, choked, grabbed or had things thrown at you? Forced to have sex or perform any sexual acts against your will? Call the SAPAC Crisis line at 936-3333. The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Monday through Friday during the fall and winter terms by students at the University of Michigan. Subscriptions for fall term, starting in September, via U.S. mail are $85. winter term (January through April) is $95, yearlong (September through April) is $165. On.campus S scriptions for fall term are $35. Subscriptions must be prepaid, The Michigan Daily is a member of the Associated Press and the Associated Collegiate Press. ADDRESS: The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1327. PHONE NUMBERS (All area code 313): News 76-DAILY; Arts 7630379; Sports 647.3336; Opinion 764-0553; Circulation 764-0558; Classified advertising 764-0557; Display advertising 764-0554; Billing 764-0550, E-mail letters to the editor to daily letters@6umich.edu. World Wide Web: http://www.pubumich.edu/daily, NEWS Jodi S. Cohen, Managng Mter EDITORS: Jeff Eldridge, Laurie Maek, Anupama Reddy. witl Weissert. STAFF Janet Adamy, David Bricker, Sam England. Megan Exley Maria Hackett. Heather Kamins, Jeffrey Kosseff, Chris Metinko, Christite M. Paik, Katie Piona. Susan T. Port, AI ce Robinson, Ericka M. Smith, Sam Stavis, Heather Wggin, Kristen Wright, Jennifer Yachnin CALENDAR: Will Weissert. 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