WKU student alleged victim in dating violence incident 

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-Over the weekend, a Western Kentucky University student was violently attacked following an argument with her boyfriend. The attack is raising awareness about the issue of dating violence.

According to WKU police, on Saturday Brianna Coffey was spending time with her boyfriend of five months, Anthony Mieciecki, 22. Mieciecki became intoxicated at some point during the night, and an argument ensued between the couple.

“He wound up pushing her down to the ground, struck her multiple times and leaving visible physical injuries. Officers wound up going on scene, making contact with the parties involved. The male subject that was arrested, he was extremely intoxicated,” said Officer Tim Gray, public information officer for Western Kentucky University Police Department.

WKU police said they have seen an increase in dating violence incidents.

“We have more couples that are living together, and so that now includes them into the domestic violence charge that they can be charged with. So, we have seen an increase of that in terms of being able to pursue that criminal charge under that particular situation,” said Gray.

Coffey was also strangled during the attack and she was taken to The Medical Center at Bowling Green for treatment.

“Most abusers who strangle will only let go when their partner loses consciousness which means they were within seconds of being declared dead,” said Tori Henninger, executive director of Barren River Area Safe Space.

Mieciecki was arrested and now faces multiple charges, including fourth-degree assault, first-degree wanton endangerment and third-degree terroristic threatening.

“Substance use and domestic violence do have a history and they intertwine. Abusers may utilize alcohol as a way of minimizing the abuse,” said Henninger.

Barren River Area Safe Space offers free and confidential services to all victims of domestic and dating violence.