Peterson case has signs of domestic violence

The first physically abusive incident often occurs during pregnancy, said Melissa Lukin-Rai, executive director of CORA. And in cases where there's a history of abuse, she said it often escalates during pregnancy.

"Pregnancy can represent a loss of control and a potential splitting of attention," Lukin-Rai said. "The woman becomes more focused on her own needs, and that's threatening to abusers who are often very demanding."

As many as 324,000 pregnant women experience violence at the hands of their partners every year, according to CORA. Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in which one partner seeks power and control over the other partner through force, intimidation, coercion, violence or the threat of violence, according to CORA.

CORA is not commenting on whether they think Scott Peterson is guilty, but the group wants to use the case to raise awareness about the warning signs of abusive relationships.

Lukin-Rai said some victims don't experience any physical abuse prior to being murdered. A study by the Chicago Women's Health Risk found that 15 percent of women killed by their partners or ex-partners had experienced no prior physical abuse, but had suffered emotional abuse in the form of jealous controlling behavior. In fact, she said it's not uncommon for people outside the immediate family to characterize the family as the "perfect couple" or the "perfect family."

"The marriage can look fine from the outside world," Lukin-Rai said.

Women often don't report abuse because they are embarrassed, fear retaliation, or are concerned about the welfare of their children, Luki-Rai said.

That's why it's important to be aware of the non-visible signs of abuse, she said. Some signs can include extreme depression, insomnia or anxiety. Another telltale sign is when partners seem very controlling or try to isolate their spouses from friends and family.

"The [abusive] partner will create excessive rules like not allowing their spouse to talk on the phone," she said.

As the Peterson case continues, CORA is urging the community to remember Raye Rapoza, a San Mateo County resident who was seven months pregnant when she and her 4-year-old daughter Tehani were killed in October 2002. They died when Raye Rapoza's husband, Eddie Rapoza, drove the family truck off a cliff in Moss Beach. Eddie Rapoza is still being held on three counts of murder and is awaiting trial.

In the last year, San Mateo County police responded to 2,879 domestic violence calls.