While law enforcement can arrest perpetrators of domestic violence, public awareness and education are the keys to preventing it, according to Casper Police Chief Tom Pagel.

"We are not your solution to domestic violence," Pagel said at a Thursday forum on domestic violence and law enforcement. "The solution to domestic violence is changing the thought patterns of little boys and little girls so that when they get older, that's not the issue."

Pagel's comments came during a forum hosted by Don't Touch. US Inc., a group of mostly men trying to reduce domestic violence in the community. Pagel, along with two other representatives from the Casper Police Department, described how officers respond to domestic violence calls.

Although an arrest by police may resolve the immediate problem, Pagel advocated raising awareness as a long-term solution. Wyoming, he noted, has had success reducing methamphetamine use after bringing the problem into the spotlight.

"I'm a huge believer in public awareness," he said.

Pagel said statistics show that about half of domestic violence incidents lead to arrests in Wyoming. In other instances, the offender is either not found, the people involved are separated or the officer can mediate the dispute.

Following Pagel's comments, he answered questioned from the audience of about 35 people.

In response to one question, Pagel said it's possible to pursue charges against a perpetrator of domestic violence if the victim recants her story. But, he added, that can make the case more difficult.

"When you look at the number of cases that go down in this area, the resources that are required to prosecute them … and they have a case over here where they are not going to get corroborating testimony from the victim, I'm telling you in reality, that has an impact on that case," he said.

Jackie Brown, a Casper attorney who handles many domestic violence cases and attended the forum, said the community can help law enforcement by understanding that anyone can be an abuser of women.

"The community needs to understand that abusers are controlling and manipulative," she said. "They know how to behave at work, they know how to be charming. They also know how to beat the hell out of their wife at night."

Don't Touch. US Inc. plans to hold monthly forums on issues related to domestic violence. Next month's topic, 100 Voices of Violence, will allow victims to tell their stories.

Reach Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com.