New initiative will protect victims of domestic abuse from repeat violence and risk of death
(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, on today, April 8, 2015, will sign into law a domestic violence risk assessment policy that is intended to protect victims from repeat abuse and possibly death. Late last month, county lawmakers approved the initiative, sponsored by Legislator Kara Hahn, to give the Suffolk County Police Department new tools for differentiating risk and educating victims.
Using a multi-dimensional approach, County police will implement a highly regarded risk assessment model to objectively evaluate continued risk to victims from their abusers. At the same time, police will provide victims with a second danger assessment tool designed to raise their awareness of their risk of being abused again at the hands of an individual who may have already abused them at least once. Advocacy agencies will play a key role in this multi-dimensional approach.
Between 2009 and 2013, there were over 18,500 domestic violence related instances reported in Suffolk County. During that same period, 38 homicides were committed by a domestic abuser.
Who:
- County Executive Steve Bellone
- Legislator Kara Hahn
- Legislator Rob Calarco
- Laura Ahern, Executive Director of the Crime Victims Center at Parents for Megan’s Law
- Jennifer Garcia, Assistant Director of Brighter Tomorrows, Inc.
- Clarice Murphy, Interim Executive Director of the Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk
When:
- Today, Wednesday, April 8, 2015
1:00 PM
Where:
- H. Lee Dennison Building, Plaza
100 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788-0099
