A few weeks ago, this newspaper published a sobering story about how researchers at LDS Hospital had pulled the covers back on a dark secret in Utah: Domestic violence is alive and thriving here, as it is nationwide.

The researchers gave confidential questionnaires to 500 consecutive women who came to the hospital's emergency room in March 2001. Nearly 10 percent of them, regardless of the reason they currently were in the hospital, said they were the victims of abuse from their intimate partners during the previous year. Nearly 40 percent of those women said they had considered suicide during that year, as well.

Utah ranks 16th in the nation in domestic homicides. Of the women murdered here each year, about 65 percent die from domestic violence, experts say. In addition, domestic violence is often a factor leading to other diseases, and it is the No. 1 reason why women are injured. And most likely it is underreported.

We were so concerned by these figures that we decided to make the cessation of domestic abuse one of our editorial goals for 2004. The other goal, a carry-over from last year, is to continue to promote civility, both in political debates and in all aspects of life in Utah.

The Deseret Morning News editorial board has a proud tradition of sharing its goals for the coming year on each New Year's Day. While we intend to comment on literally hundreds of issues as they come up during 2004, these goals will direct our concerted efforts and receive special attention.

We are convinced that almost everyone in the state has had a brush with domestic violence, through an acquaintance, a co-worker, a friend at church or some other means. Unfortunately, this is a crime that still is often treated as a private matter, rather than as the public menace it is.

President Bush declared last October to be National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In doing so, he said, "A home, a family should be a place of support, should be a peaceful place — not a place of cruelty and brutality. Domestic violence betrays the most basic duties of life. It violates the law. It's wrong. It is a crime that must be confronted by individuals, by communities and by government."

That three-pronged approach, through individuals, communities and government, is the only way to tackle the problem effectively. Laws can do only so much. With the proper public support, shelters can provide safe havens, but only if victims are aware of them, and only if they have the courage to seek help. Much of the burden of recognizing and solving this problem rests on friends and neighbors who see the results of abuse and need to break their silence. But all three elements must work together.