Editor,
We are relieved that the trial of Foster City resident Eddie Rapoza is over. We hope the resolution of the case brings peace to the victims' relatives. Rapoza was convicted in the October 2000 failed suicide-murders of his pregnant wife Raye, their 4-year-old daughter Tehani, and their unborn child Sienna.
Homicide is always tragic, but when it happens at the hands of a family member, people often fail to recognize it as domestic violence.
Unfortunately, Raye, Tehani and Sienna Rapoza were not the only victims of domestic violence in San Mateo County in recent years. Their tragic story sheds light on the often silent terror endured by one in three women over the course of her lifetime. Raye's situation did not contain as many physical signs of abuse as psychological ones. She was subjected to relentless accusations of adultery, incessant cellphone harassment, threats to kill her and her family, and suicide attempts and threats of suicide by her husband Eddie.
In addition, the fact that Raye spoke about leaving the relationship and that she was pregnant are also common danger signs. The risk is heightened for expectant mothers. In fact, 324,000 pregnant women suffer domestic abuse each year, and statistically, the most dangerous time in an abusive relationship is when the partner leaves.
As the only provider of comprehensive domestic violence prevention and intervention services in San Mateo County, we stress that domestic violence is not just physical; it takes place in sexual, financial and verbal/psychological or emotional forms, all of which can be devastating and can lead to fatality, as it did in the Rapoza case.
Every day, three women are killed by their intimate partners in this country. Every nine seconds, a woman is abused.
It takes a community to overcome relationship abuse. We urge those who recognize that they or anyone they know is in unhealthy relationships to call CORA's confidential 24-hour toll-free support line at (800) 300-1080 or (650) 312-8515.
Melissa Lukin
Executive Director CORA (Community overcoming Relationship Abuse)
San Mateo
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