Inter-Agency Response to Domestic Violence in a Medium Sized City

• NCJ Number: 221794
• Author(s): Erin Lane M.P.M.; Joan Lucera M.S.; Rachel Boba Ph.D.
• Date Published: July 2003
• Length: 183 pages
• Grant Number(s): 98-DV-WX-K015
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Corporate Author: Police Foundation
• Sale Source: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded February 28, 2008

Annotation

This study examined one city's efforts to reduce domestic violence through the coordinated work of the city police department and a wide range of criminal justice, social services, and community agencies.

Abstract

The Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee (DVCC) was initially formed to address the city's concern about the violence-crime rate. It evolved into a focus on domestic violence under the realization that domestic violence homicides were often preceded by multiple police visits for domestic assault. Under the DVCC, the city created a new domestic-violence coordinator responsible for supervising two domestic violence counselors based at court; undertaking domestic violence public awareness, education and training efforts; and developing a coordinating council on domestic violence issues in the city. The DVCC was composed of representatives from the police department, magistrate's office, prosecutor's office, Department of Social Services, an agency that operated the battered women's shelter, Planned Parenthood, the Department of Public Schools, the victim/witness program, and various health care agencies. DVCC's overall mission was to coordinate the efforts of community groups and agencies in identifying and reducing the incidence of domestic violence in the city. Their strategy was to develop resources and identify and address gaps in service. The current examination of these interagency efforts found that dynamic and committed leadership by one key individual added significant strength and momentum to the interagency effort. Early and sustained police involvement was critical to the success of the effort, although a wide representation of agencies was important in achieving systemic improvement in the domestic violence response. Efforts were most successful when DVCC members held sufficient rank within their agencies to make decisions and mobilize resources. The DVCC was most effective when it was supported by a prestigious city office but was allowed to function autonomously. 17 tables and 17 figures