The risk of homicide in a domestic violence situation increases
by 500% when a firearm is present in the home.
District Attorney Katz is dedicated to expanding our efforts to end domestic violence and to eliminate the stigma attached to being a domestic violence survivor. To achieve these goals, DA Katz will work toward strengthening our Office’s partnerships, increasing community outreach, and changing abusive behavior through diversionary programs, education, and providing support for both victims and defendants. The Domestic Violence Bureau will enhance its newest initiative- the Domestic Violence Strategic Threat Alert Team (DVSTAT.) This program attempts to identify and enhance the prosecution of high-risk domestic violence cases after a crime has occurred, but before the offender is apprehended. Nearly half of domestic abusers flee the scenes of their crimes before the police arrive. To help keep these victims safe, we employ a computer program that receives from the NYPD all open domestic violence complaint reports where defendants have not yet been arrested.
The program searches those complaints for risk factors - including whether there has been an escalation of violence, a violation of an order of protection, or threats made. The Assistant District Attorney assigned can begin immediate outreach on the cases identified as the highest risk. By proactively inviting these victims to the Queens Family Justice Center (QFJC), District Attorney Katz’s Office ensures that victims are aware of the safety planning and counseling services that are available to them- even before an arrest is made. At the QFJC, victims are assigned case managers from Safe Horizon so that, among other things, they can apply for family court orders of protection and seek shelter placement. DVSTAT ADAs can coordinate with responding officers, domestic violence officers, detectives, and field intelligence officers to make sure that crucial evidence, including surveillance video and electronic evidence, such as text messages, voicemails, and social media postings are preserved. Through this coordination with the NYPD, the DVSTAT program has successfully obtained search warrants which have led to the recovery of a variety of firearms and narcotics. The recovery of these weapons is one of the program’s greatest successes - especially since the risk of homicide in a domestic violence situation increases by 500% when a firearm is present in the home.
Under the leadership of District Attorney Katz, the Domestic Violence Bureau will continue to partner with the Mayor’s Office and the NYPD on the Coordinated Approach to Prevent Stalking (CAPS), a homicide prevention program that focuses on intervention before stalking behavior becomes violent. In addition, the Domestic Violence Bureau will increase participation in the Interim Probation Domestic Violence Team (QIPDVT.) This probation program seeks to change defendants’ abusive behaviors by utilizing a trauma informed approach that combines accountability measures with support. Over 100 defendants have had their sentences deferred while they participated in the supervision program. We are confident that our continued investment in this program will create lasting change that will help break the cycle of abuse.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call our DV Helpline at 718.286.4410. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and you will have the options of connecting to an Assistant District Attorney or a service provider for assistance.