Chris Gorsek, a former police officer, and primarily a geography teacher at MHCC, will be leading two domestic violence discussions sponsored by the school’s Criminal Justice Department. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Topics will include what domestic violence is, the Oregon laws that relate to it, violence, and the impact it has on people in our society.

Gorsek is accepting donations for Bradley-Angle House, a women’s shelter. Women and children trying to escape a violent life not only need the usual necessities, but they also need to get out once in a while, said Gorsek.

Violence is “something we need to have open and frank discussions about,” said Gorsek. Frequently, this is a hard thing to deal with because it’s with people that you know and you love. It’s different if a stranger hits you than if it’s someone you know that hits you.”
Gorsek’s reasons for taking part in criminal justice as well as geography are based on his past work in law enforcement. As a cop for eight years with the Portland Police Department, he took a lot of domestic violence calls.

Asked if he missed being a police officer, Gorsek replied, “Sometimes, but I much prefer this.” His current position is much more peaceful to him. “I was in a situation where you have to decide whether to shoot, and we chose not to shoot.” The man’s gun turned out to be unloaded.

Gorsek says that one important thing people need to understand is that domestic violence “may be a bad term because it has to do also with people who are just in relationships.”
Dating violence is something that is not uncommon.

Gorsek said, “Sometimes, with people that are involved in these relationships, it may take them a long time [at] first to realize there’s a problem.” People should be careful of someone who is very controlling, someone who wants to know, for instance, where you are at all times. They may want to “pick their friends, and get rid of friends.” They may try to control things like finances.

“What we see in domestic violence,” said Gorsek, “is that it’s usually not considered an anger-management issue, but a control issue.”

With the previous law, arrests could not be made without obvious injury. Currently, police officers do not have a choice. They have to make an arrest when violence is carried out, or when harm is threatened.

Gorsek’s first presentation on domestic violence will be on Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 1610. A repeat will be held Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Room 1600. Both presentations will be free.