Law Enforcement Services

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Domestic and Sexual Violence Resources

Domestic violence and sexual assault are heinous crimes and ones which often go unreported.  Consider these alarming statistics:

• According to the National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. 
  
  
• The FBI and the Journal of Traumatic Stress estimate that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 11 men will be the victims of sexual assault at least once in their lifetime.  It is estimated that there is one sexual assault every 90 seconds in the United States. 

• Domestic Incident Repository Application - access the statewide Domestic Incident Report database.
• Law Enforcement “Tip Sheet” from the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA). This two-page quick reference sheet could serve as a potential roll call training document.
• Pocket Guide for Police Response to Sexual Assault from NYSCASA. In-depth information with specific tips and techniques for various aspects of the sexual assault investigation and victim/family contact process.
• New York State Domestic Incident Report (DIR) Frequently Asked Questions
• Neurobiology of Trauma: Implications for First Responders in Law Enforcement, Prosecution, and Victim Advocacy seminar by national expert, Rebecca Campbell. A recording of this seminar is available at http://nij.gov/multimedia/presenter/presenter-campbell/ and the full transcript is available at http://nij.gov/multimedia/presenter/presenter-campbell/data/resources/presenter-campbell-transcript.htm. 
  
  
• In October 2008, the DCJS’ Violence Against Women Unit, along with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the New York State Humane Association, hosted three regional seminars that examined the issue of domestic violence and pet abuse. Shortly afterward, DCJS began a survey seeking information on existing relationships between domestic violence shelters and animal shelters to provide emergency shelter for pets. The University of Buffalo Law School's Women, Children and Social Justice Clinic was brought on board to create a more formal survey, administer it to domestic violence agencies and animal shelters across the state, and develop  a database.  The Clinic worked to connect domestic violence victims with animal shelters willing to house pets that victims do not want to abandon when they leave an abusive relationship.  An online database that lists organizations in each county that are willing to offer refuge to pets went live in March 2012. The goal is to assist victims in leaving their abusive partners by removing the fear victims often have that their pet may be harmed in their absence.  Please visit the database at:  http://www.law.buffalo.edu/beyond/clinics/social-justice/pets.html
  
  
• New York Sexual Assault Examiner (SAE) programs have established procedures for standard and comprehensive care to all sexual assault victims. Examiners are specifically trained to care for these victims. When victims sustain serious injuries, forensic examiners ensure that their medical needs are met first. Examiners are trained to provide a sensitive examination and collect forensic evidence as components of the overall treatment process.
  
  A DOH Center of Excellence is required to designate SAFE 24-hour Centers of Excellence in urban, suburban and rural areas of the state to give as many state residents as possible ready access to SAFE programs.  Hospitals with existing programs must apply for Department of Health designation as a SAFE Center of Excellence. Hospitals are required to provide a private room in or near the emergency department with access to a shower and accessible for the disabled. There are reporting and equipment requirements for hospital programs.  To find out more, go to http://www.health.ny.gov/nysdoh/safe/
  
  This is a list of hospitals, by county, that have SAE programs or who are DOH Centers of Excellence.  DCJS encourages law enforcement to take sexual assault victims to a participating hospital in their area for the best possible outcome, both for the victim and for the criminal justice system.
  
  
• “Another Domestic Incident – Another DIR?” – Do you think the DIR is just another form to fill out that goes nowhere, particularly when there is no arrest? This video discusses how the DIR is a valuable tool for the police, probation, parole, prosecutors, judges, domestic violence victims and their advocates. The video is approximately 14 minutes in length and is designed to be shown at roll call.
  
  
• A Body of Evidence: Using the NYS Sexual Offense Evidence Collection Kit (wmv) – this video, (an introduction to the full length DVD) features actor Mariska Hargitay (who portrays Det. Olivia Benson on Law and Order SVU).  The full length DVD was created by DCJS as a training tool on the use of New York State’s sexual assault forensic evidence collection kit and has been distributed widely to medical professionals across New York State and the country.
  
  
• “Duty Trumps Doubt” – this video, designed for  law enforcement first responders, provides thoughtful insight about the crime of sexual assault. The video is approximately 8 minutes in length and is ideal to be shown at roll call.
  
  
• The article “The New Strangulation Statute and Domestic Violence Cases” By: Johanna Sullivan, Counsel, New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.
  
  
• November 2010 Law Enforcement Bulletin that Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center, Albany County District Attorney’s Office and the Albany County Sheriff’s Department  created on the new strangulations laws as a training tool and aide for officers.  (DCJS is not endorsing this product per se, but is simply posting it as a sample format if your department is interested in creating a similar product.)
  
  
• Issue 4 of the Integrated Justice Report on DCJS’s efforts to create the new statewide Domestic Incident Report database.  Page 6 of the article describes this database as going live in April 2011; please note that due to a delay, we anticipate the database being operational in July 2011.  This issue also has information on the new strangulation laws.

We’d like your input –  If you think there is a specific resource to help you in relating to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking that we can provide, please tell us.  Contact us at vawa@dcjs.state.ny.us