This is in response to a story about a Lewiston dentist charged with assaulting his wife (Feb. 28). I feel sad for Dr. Kippax and his family. In a time of financial stress, families are working hard to keep their homes, or even pay for groceries. Today’s economic uncertainties create fear; frustrations mount; miscommunication takes over; the fight-or-flight principle kicks in, which is an automatic nervous system response.

Should we, as a society, point fingers, or help? Wouldn’t counseling, as opposed to a courtroom, be more helpful? Look at the young R&B performers Rihanna and Chris Brown, who recently were in the news for the same issue – domestic violence.

Dr. Kippax extracted one of my teeth in the fall of 2007. It was the result of a vicious assault that shattered a back molar and impaired my hearing. Fifteen years later, the damage from the assault is still impacting me, as well as the emotional pain.

I do not think the first incident of domestic violence should be dealt with by law enforcement officers, but by health care professionals, helping through counseling. If that does not resolve differences and violence continues, then it becomes a matter for law enforcement officials to step in.

Surveys at area women’s shelters have shown that 80 percent of women return to the men who battered them. To me, that indicates that society should help the men change their attitudes so the relationship can improve.

Terri Croteau, Lewiston