I was surprised when I flipped to the Opinion section of The Daily and saw Jennifer Elshoff’s Oct. 27 column, “Abusive relationships may end up deadly,” about Dixie Shanahan of Defiance, Iowa.

Being from the Defiance area myself, I’ve heard the story along with a few small-town rumors, as well. What triggered my thoughts, though, was when Jennifer pointed out Dixie had nowhere to run when her husband beat her time after time.

The lightly populated town of Defiance is currently pulling together to support Dixie as she awaits trial for first-degree murder. A cup sits at the end of Tobe’s bar asking for donations to cover legal fees, and bake sales have been organized to help her as well. So far the town has raised just enough to get her out on bail.

Although it’s just a small town, the people of Defiance are doing all they can to support Dixie. The heart-warming support is beautiful, but we have to ask, “Where was everyone before?”

Being from the area, I also had heard Scott Shanahan was abusive toward his wife. She fled to Texas, where her family lives, to try to escape the brutal beatings of her husband, only to return most likely with the mindset things would get better. It was hard for her, since her only support was in Texas, but what if this avid support the city of Defiance is now displaying would have been there before?

The people of Defiance knew Dixie’s situation before Scott’s death, so why didn’t they support her then as they support her now? Where were they when Dixie needed them most, to help her gather the courage and support needed to flee an abusive relationship?

I know a few people who tried to help, but they must not have done enough, because now there are three small children with a mother awaiting trial and a father buried in the ground.

If Dixie did shoot her abusive husband, I have no doubt she had good reason. Without support before, though, she was led to this ultimate situation. Her fear kept a dead body in her house for months, and, now that it has been found, she has only a very slim chance of being acquitted.

I believe this situation could have been avoided. If the support of Defiance would have come out before the news teams were in town, maybe Dixie would be in a safe home right now with her three kids, away from her husband, and have a chance for a good life she most likely has lost.

Elizabeth Ramsey

Freshman

Pre-Journalism & Mass Communication