LAKE COUNTY — The words domestic violence may conjure an image of a woman abused, but many victims are men. Prior to 2004, statistically men have been far less likely to report incidents of domestic violence than women.
“I think there”s more of an issue with men that they just don”t want the social stigma of reporting,” Lake County District Attorney Jon Hopkins said.
That stigma may finally be buckling. From 1994 to 2003, less than 50 percent of men reported abuse. But in recent years, about 60 percent of both genders have reported abuse. Men are still less likely to report incidents because they want to protect the offender, according to U.S. Bureau of Justice statistics.
A Lakeport dentist whose experience suffering from domestic violence for 19 years culminated in a shooting last Friday, said that was the case for him.
“I was trying the best I could to put up with it until she got her [misdemeanor] probation squared away. Of course I love her, I wouldn”t have put up with this if I didn”t love this woman a lot, but the last two months with the verbal and physical violence ? I am concerned for myself and my family,” Dr. Don Johnson said.
He also feared retribution and owning up to friends about years of abuse. “There”s the macho thing that goes along with it ? you don”t want anyone to know that your wife is beating the ? out of you,” Dr. Johnson said.
His wife Margaret Johnson was served with a restraining order last Friday. In his restraining order declaration, Dr. Johnson provided photos and descriptions of abuse that began the year of their marriage in 1989 and escalated in recent years.
Her violence stemmed from her alcoholism, he said, and Margaret had on numerous occasions enrolled in alcohol rehabilitation programs without completion.
“The frequency and severity of her abuse initially was erratic; however, over the last several years it has become progressively more frequent and more serious ? she would push me, hit me, threaten me with a knife, and stab furniture, our bed, and walls,” Dr. Johnson wrote in the restraining order declaration.
He went on to describe other verbal and physical threats including a bottle, fire poker and how he was repeatedly pushed, punched, kicked and scratched.
One night he slept in the office, and spent another night in his truck, because he feared returning home.
In 2006, when Margaret Johnson threatened his life and members of Dr. Johnson”s family, followed by breaking family photographs, Dr. Johnson”s daughter Joan Johnson reported the incident to the Lake County Sheriff”s Department.
But like many victims, Johnson wanted to protect both Margaret and feared retribution.
“Between March 29 and 30, 2008, Margaret made numerous threats to me, including threats to kill me, to cut off my head and hang it on the wall, and told me that I would be very, very sorry if I told anyone of her statements or took any steps towards retribution,” Dr. Johnson wrote.
LeeAnn Kettwig, a registered dental assistant with extended functions as well as office manager at Dr. Johnson”s Willow Tree Dental practice, has worked for Dr. Johnson since 1992.
“He came to work on numerous occasions with either black eyes, bruises, scratches, and somewhat upset and genuinely concerned about her stability,” Kettwig said.
In his filed restraining order, Dr. Johnson wrote, “I am fearful, given her behaviors, as well as her threats, that when she becomes aware of my having initiated this action, if left in the residence, she will do costly damage to our possessions and the residence itself.”
The day she was served the restraining order, Margaret Johnson broke into the Kelseyville home she had shared with her husband, using a pickax.
He said he never wanted to hit her ? at the very most intended to shoot a finger. He said he didn”t have glasses on and it was dark. “I was aiming through my house. I couldn”t see, it was dark and all I saw was a figure with an ax,” Dr. Johnson said.
Dr. Johnson was determined to have acted in self defense by the Lake County Sheriff”s Department when he shot her once in the neck when he found her entering the home, carrying a pickax.
He said he actually shot her shoulder, and the bullet ricocheted into her neck. He visited her in the hospital Wednesday in Davis, where is listed in fair condition.
“I”m waiting to hear when she”s able to get back out. She seems to be in stable condition, it”s hard to have the tube in all the time ? she can”t talk and it makes it very uncomfortable for her.” He said the restraining order suggestion is for Margaret to enroll in one year of anger management.
Kettwig said while Dr. Johnson”s staff expect mixed public reaction to the incident, they hope the public “wouldn”t judge him in a negative way.”
“He is the victim here. He has stuck by this woman for so long because he truly loves her ? She could get ugly. No one ever expected that it would come to what happened. He feared for his life ? that is a genuine, honest statement,” Kettwig said.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
