Gov. Bill Haslam cited the recent slaying of a Knoxville social worker — allegedly by her ex-husband who also kidnapped their child before being apprehended — in a speech on domestic violence and human trafficking Tuesday, reports the News Sentinel.
The Knoxville woman was killed Oct. 28 at her North Knoxville apartment and her daughter, Brooklynne, was kidnapped in what police said was a domestic violence case involving her husband, Tyler Enix.
“When Kimberly Enix loses her life, it’s a way too visible reminder how serious and real the problem is and that it doesn’t happen somewhere else,” Haslam said Tuesday night in Knoxville.
Speaking at the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee’s educational program on domestic violence and human trafficking at the East Tennessee History Center, the Republican governor said plenty of steps to combat domestic abuse have been taken by the state. They include the passage of stiffer laws and the opening of family justice centers for victims, both of which have helped decrease domestic violence crimes by 14.8 percent since 2010.
However, as he said of the issue, “It’s still far too prevalent.”
Haslam, who was also in town for his 4-year-old grandson’s birthday, said human trafficking is also a serious problem in Tennessee and that it is not just an urban or immigrant problem as people might believe.
He pointed out that human trafficking is also tied in with the heroin addiction problem, which he called another serious issue for the state.
“The rise of heroin abuse in our state is on the verge of being out of control,” he said with concern.
To combat all these related problems, he said the work of groups like the Women’s Fund of East Tennessee is important. The nonprofit works with various service organizations and governmental agencies and other to bring about positive change through education and other actions.
“What we need are folks like you coming beside us to add heart,” he said, adding that governmental entities cannot solve problems on their own.