By: Ian Hest
ihest@klkntv.com
Ashley Bunn was shot multiple times in the head by her ex-boyfriend last week. She's still in intensive care. She had a protection order out against her attacker.
What options do victims have to try and stay safe?
Ashley Bunn's family said Ashley has a dry erase board and was able to write to them thanking them for being by her side.
Jane Cogan, program director for the Friendship Home, said, "A protection order is a piece of paper. It is recognized in a court of law, but we recognize that it is a piece of paper and that isn't necessarily going to keep her safe."
Safety was all 23-year-old Bunn was looking for.
After breaking up with her boyfriend, Garrett Corn, he threatened to kill her.
Now, Bunn recovers in an Omaha hospital after Corn made good on his threat: shooting her multiple times in the head before ending his own life.
Cogan and the Friendship Home help find shelter for victims of domestic abuse.
"Domestic violence is fairly prevalent and our shelters remain full every day of the year," said Cogan. "So domestic violence is happening in our community and this brought to light one case of domestic violence but it's happening throughout."
In January, Bunn filed a protection order against him after she said he "put his index finger up to my head like a gun."
Corn had two previous protection orders against him. These are supposed to prevent an attacker from coming into contact with the victim, even not allowing them to own a firearm in many cases.
But Cogan warned of a false sense of security and tells women who feel threatened to seek shelter, especially when children are involved.
"As much as parents want to protect them and believe they don't, children are aware of what's going on in their households," said Cogan.
Cogan wants women to know that if they face these problems, they're not alone. In fact, she said one in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime.
For more information:
www.nnedv.org
Friendship Home Shelter and Support Line: (402) 437-9302
Voices of Hope Crisis Line: (402) 476-7273
