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DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) — 27-year-old Taveon Glenn remains inside the Montgomery County jail Monday night, accused of murdering his wife, Sierra Still.
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Still’s family and friends told Dayton 24/7 Now she was a victim of domestic violence since 2016, so we wanted to focus on the resources available to victims in the Miami Valley.
The Artemis Center provides help, free of charge, to victims and their children, saying domestic violence has been on the rise since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those with the agency warn abuse is often repeated, as was the case with Still.
Court documents show she filed a temporary protection order in 2016, but it was later retracted.
Taveon Glenn is accused of shooting and killing Still on Tuesday, June 6.
This was the same day her family and friends said she was planning to leave.
“She had the plan,” said close friend, Taiesha McDonald. “She was so strong. She was living in hell every single day and she was still fighting.”
“I was actually there to pick her up to leave on Tuesday,” cried her mother, Tina Still. “She was leaving Tuesday.”
This was not the first incident between the two. Court documents showed Sierra filed a temporary protection order against her husband in 2016 and her mother told Dayton 24/7 Now’s Gwyneth Falloon that her daughter told her the abuse was continuing in October of last year.
“Most domestic violence is a pattern of violence,” informed Jane Keiffer, the Executive Director at the Artemis Center. “It usually is not a one time incident.”
Keiffer warned abuse is rarely an isolated occurrence, which is why she says it’s important to have a plan.
“In the moment, it’s really scary and it’s really hard,” she said. “But we can work with you on a plan so you can think about things differently so you can stay a little bit safer.”
Artemis provides support to domestic violence victims and their children, offering therapy, crisis intervention, and even court accompaniment. However, Keiffer said whatever plan victims may have, it’s crucial to keep it away from the abuser.
“We know that 75% of all female homicides occur within three months of separation, getting a protection order or saying I’m filing for divorce,” she cautioned. “We don’t always want the abuser to know that they’re working with us. If the abuser perceives they’re leaving, that can increase their lethality.”
In addition to Artemis, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is also a resource, with ways for victims to create a plan and even clear their internet history to do so safely.
For family and friends, the signs of abuse can be subtle, but letting victim’s know they’re not alone can be lifesaving.
“Isolation is a huge tactic and they just need to know that person’s there,” said Keiffer. “When they’re ready, then they’ll call. The key is don’t ask once ask over and over again.”
Artemis’ hotline is available 24/7 at 937-461-HELP.
Still’s family is still fundraising for funeral expenses and her children’s financial aid. To donate, visit this website.
Her family is also planning to hold a vigil Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Dayton 24/7 Now will be in attendance.