DA's Office Receives Anti-Violence Grant Funding

DA's Office receives anti-violence grant funding announced by Baker administration today

The Northwestern District Attorney's Office has received $120,000 as part of $12.8 million in anti-violence grant funding announced by the Baker-Polito Administration today.

The grant represents the fourth year of funding of the 4-year Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & Security's S.T.O.P. (Services Training Officers Prosecutors)  program.

It has allowed the NWDA's Domestic Violence Intervention Project (DVIP) to pay trained advocates who are available by cell phone to assist police responding to victims of domestic abuse. 

Advocates provide immediate assistance, safety planning and referrals to local services. They are hired  by the New England Learning Center for Women in Transition (NELCWIT) in Franklin County and Valley Human Services at Behavioral Health Network in Hampshire County.

“Having a trained advocate who can respond immediately at the time of the incident and provide support is an important way that we can help survivors and their children," the NWDA's Director of Domestic and Sexual Violence Projects Mary Kociela said. 

"It’s also a great way for us to collaborate with our law enforcement and community partners to help protect victims.”

The DVIP is an early intervention, collaborative program that combines the services of 45 police departments, five state police barracks, two dispatch centers, three courts, two victim service providers and our local certified batterer’s intervention program.  

It is closely tied to the Domestic Violence High Risk Team Project, with DVIP Advocates making 45% of potential high risk offender referrals to the team. Both projects work together to hold offenders accountable and keep victims safe.