Rachel Compton, the mother of murder victim Amber Compton and her unborn granddaughter Amelia Elizabeth, shared with The Voice a letter she sent to Vice President J.D. Vance about domestic violence — help that is needed in Southwest Virginia and other rural areas.
We are sharing the letter with you, our readers.
My name is Rachel Compton, and I am writing to you as the mother of murder victim Amber Compton. Just days ago, a jury in Southwest Virginia delivered a guilty verdict, finding Dustin Owens guilty of the brutal murder of my daughter — who was seven months pregnant with my granddaughter Amelia Elizabeth. I am writing to bring your urgent attention to the severe domestic violence crisis gripping the rural communities of Southwest Virginia and Eastern Kentucky.
I am asking for your help as someone who has openly shared your own family’s experiences with the pain and trauma of domestic violence. Your people in Appalachia need your help. Southwest Virginia has remained a fierce, strong supporter of President Trump and the Republican Party because we believe in a leadership that protects our families and respects our way of life. But right now, our families are facing a perfect storm of geographic isolation, limited economic resources, and a lack of critical infrastructure. When domestic abuse escalates in these rural pockets, victims find themselves miles away from help, without public transportation, and relying on overextended local departments.
Our local authorities and prosecutors work tirelessly and fight with everything they have to protect victims, but they are continuously underfunded and outmatched by the scale of this epidemic. We urgently need targeted federal assistance to bridge these gaps. Specifically, the region requires increased funding for local domestic violence shelters, expanded rural crisis text and call networks, and specialized protective resources that account for the unique, isolated terrain of Central Appalachia.
Mr. Vice President, the people of Southwest Virginia and Kentucky are strong, but they should not have to fight this battle alone in the dark. I urge you and your administration to champion policy initiatives and emergency federal funding targeted specifically at rural domestic violence prevention and victim support. Our mothers, daughters, and grandchildren deserve to know that their lives are valued, that their loyalty is remembered, and that their voices are being heard at the highest levels of government.
Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your continued dedication to the people of the Appalachian region. I look forward to your administration’s support in bringing safety, resources, and justice to our communities.
Sincerely,
Rachel Compton, RN
