Out of the 246 intimate partner homicides in Connecticut during the years 2000-2017, 213 were women. That means 87 percent of the victims of intimate partner homicides are women in my home state. The most recent crime making headlines is the disappearance of a woman named Jennifer Dulos. Her husband, Fotis Dulos, was charged with her murder earlier this month. Reading articles about the case compelled me to write a letter to her. I know she can’t read it, but her story is real. Husbands abusing their wives is real. Husbands getting away with these behaviors and continuing their abuse in our flawed court system is real. Thankfully most cases don’t end in murder, but many do end with financial and mental abuse.
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Dear Jennifer,
You were a mother, a daughter, a writer, a good woman, and a member of the community. I know that you had enough of the abuse you faced at the hands of your husband – infidelity, intimidation, threats, and manipulations. So, you did one of the hardest things a woman can do … leave him. He kept you in court for years which is also known as post-separation abuse. I’m sure he dragged your name through the mud, but I know you felt relief living without him under the same roof. I hope you learned how to sleep peacefully and love yourself. And I hope your children grow up knowing you fought hard and strong. I’m sorry your life is over, but I’m glad your story is being shared loudly.
There is no truer word to describe you than victim. I know you’d probably hate that term, but here we are. Your husband likely committed many crimes throughout his lifetime, but killing his children’s mother was his most abhorrent offense. Didn’t the judge know that between 50 percent and 75 percent of domestic violence homicides happen at the point of separation or after [the victim] has already left [her abuser]?
Jennifer, I’m sorry. You were in the danger zone. I’m sure you had the best attorney money could buy. I always thought the more money you have, the safer you’d be. But your case shows me that if someone is obsessed with control and winning, all the money in the world won’t buy safety. How did your husband win? By taking your life. You’re now silenced forever. That was his goal. He took your power.
And it goes for so many women in our home state, let alone the entire United States of America.
I’m sorry you are no longer here to be a mother to your five children. And I’m sorry that he won. You are strong and brave. I admire you. I hope your story helps to change family-court laws, especially in our home state. This didn’t have to happen. You played by the rules. Fotis didn’t. I’m sorry.
Yours respectfully,
JoAnna Bennett
Oh my, Joanna…. you’ve touched me with this piece more than you know. I’ve been following this story for a while and I just saw in the news today that this abuser took the easy way out. I can’t say anything more or better than Laura Staley did as I have not experienced the pain and fear that she describes. I can only say that, as someone who works with child victims, we all need your voices. Thank you for your courage and your resolve. You’ll never know how many people will feel the ripples you put out there.
I wonder what Fotis’s life story is. It would be interesting to know how you become that much of a monster. He was also involved in white collar crimes and seemed to lack empathy and compassion. From the outside looking in, he was a personality disordered individual. I’m sorry Jennifer and Michelle got involved with him. He ruined both of their lives. And it may have been cowardly, but he saved his future victims and the state of CT a ton of money.
Beautiful, raw and honest Joanna! Thanks for giving this tragedy a voice.
Joanna, this letter to Jennifer is beautifully written. Living in New England (MA), I’m aware of this case. It is heartbreaking, and I feel for the children who have lost their mother. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt words with us and for paying homage to this strong and courageous woman.
Blessings Joanna, very moving piece and as a retired police officer who handled so many domestic violence cases, my heart was always torn up by the looks on children’s faces who watched their mommy being abused by the father they too were so much afraid of. I hope that this issue comes to light to save the lives of many women and children, especiall during post separation,
Thank you Lynn. I can’t imagine the things you’ve seen. The way this behavior effects the children is so very sad. Have you ever heard of the ACE Study? I’m hoping the ACE screening can become commonplace. The General Surgeon of California – Nadine Burke – is making changes in California. With her influence and powerful voice, I’m hoping more states follow suit.
Yes, I am familiar with it and I too hope for more change everywhere!
Joanna this is such a moving piece, but what touched me most was how deeply it touched you. You wrote a moving letter to a dead woman with whom you had had no contact, other than a heart connection. You empower my faith in humanity. You
just gave her life again through WORD. Thank you.
The idea that I could empower anyone’s faith in humanity is so very humbling Kat. Thank you for that and for your comment.
‘May we heighten awareness and shift the paradigms that keep women suppressing their truths or disempowered when they finally tell the hard truths and the legal system remains “tongue-tied” about these truths. May the blindness end. May the misunderstandings end. These are hard truths that simply MUST be spoken. May deep, cataclysmic shifts happen. May people rise strong and free. May healing and transformations continue.’
I don’t think Laura’s comments can be bettered. Sadly, the tragic escalation of femicide is a harrowing reality all over the world and which I feel is inextricably linked to the total and utter assault on the sacredness of family. I am too upset and disturbed to comment much more.
Nevertheless, without wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings, I would like to hear the honest voice of a man who has beaten, abused even killed the woman he lived with, slept with, mothered his own children. Actually much more than one. What am I supposed to understand? And I want to go beyond their heinous acts as a manifestation of bullying power, aggression, revenge and weakness.
As for the judicial systems I really have no words to express my disgust at the ongoing travesty of justice the world over.
Thank you, JoAnna for sharing your powerful letter.
I think the men involved in these cases lack two important human qualities: compassion and empathy. I know if you asked my husband, he would deflect, lie and blame me for his behaviors. The men who abuse their spouses and children feel entitled to power and control. Their attitudes are not like you and I. Without compassion or empathy, its impossible to understand (and care) what their behaviors do to others. They are however usually pretty charismatic and charming, so you may leave the conversation wondering why his wife would make up such crazy lies about him.
One of the most powerful books I’ve read on the topic was “How Does He Do That” by Lundy Bancroft. Lundy has counseled thousands of abusive men and is a wealth of knowledge.
Thank you for your compassion and empathy. It’s so much easier to talk about this topic knowing that people like you understand.
This letter has taken my breath away, Joanna. I left and lived. I constantly feared that one day my ex-husband would be physically violent towards me and one day he was (he was a controlling narcissist who was unfaithful). Only one time he shoved me into a wall (that was one time-physical abuse- inserted into thousands of ways he belittled, demeaned me-). He told my children after the shoving into the wall incident (he never apologized to me): “What I did to your mom was wrong. That’s not how we roll.” That’s it. I heard him from the top of the stairs as they were heading out the door to go to school. (They were both in high school at this time point.) I required an award-winning lawyer and while my ex engaged in a great deal of “post separation abuse” in emails, texts, and phone calls( which all went directly to my attorney), I signed my emancipation papers (what I will forever call my “divorce papers”)10 months after I demanded that he leave our family home (same day I drove my daughter to her first day of college after the final “incident” that directly impacted my daughter-he was not physical violence-another issue emerged). My ex and I have no communication. I earned some spousal support which I have renamed my annuity for I was a full-time parent in every way (often experienced myself as a single mother in actions).
I obviously feel compelled to speak my truth here in this reply as I have so often want to hide these hard truths in some box on a shelf of what actually transpired. Not anymore. I now know my value from deep inside myself. I relocated to a different state. I am flourishing in a Bonus Round of Being Alive. I know I am fortunate to be vibrantly alive from my soul. (I’m not just “going through the motions of living”) I know this in every cell of my body.
May we heighten awareness and shift the paradigms that keep women suppressing their truths or disempowered when they finally tell the hard truths and the legal system remains “tongue-tied” about these truths. May the blindness end. May the misunderstandings end. These are hard truths that simply MUST be spoken. May deep, cataclysmic shifts happen. May people rise strong and free. May healing and transformations continue.
Thank you for your courage in writing this letter to Jennifer. Thank you for being your brave self. I’m honored to know you. I’m a writer, too.
Thank your or sharing your story! I too have one. I am in month eight of trying to get divorced and save my children from an abusive husband. After many years of ignoring red flags, I finally went to therapy and DV counseling and found the courage to leave. I have two young kids – 2 and 4 – who need to live a life without fear. And I will give that to them.
The main message I’ve taken from my situation is I couldn’t have done it alone. As humans, we are meant to live with support and safety from our friends and family. I’m glad my support network stood up when I was falling down. I’ll be forever grateful to all of them.
Ive finally been able to use my voice strongly and proudly. I am no longer scared of sharing this important message. And in a few weeks time I’ve connected with so many other women and men who want to make change in the family court system. I’m positive if we work together – change will be made. It may not happen fast but this issue isn’t gong anywhere.
Jennifer’s story is tragic and it didn’t have to happen. For all the women like her, you and I – we’ve got to be brave – and loud.