stopping domestic violence: what works? 28 th to 30 th may 2008, waterford institute of technology...

Stopping Domestic Violence: What Works?28th to 30th May 2008, Waterford Institute of Technology

NYC FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERBROOKLYN, NY

NYC Family Justice CenterBrooklyn, New York

Stopping Domestic Violence: What Works?

COSC – The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-based Violence

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

May 2008

Kings County District Attorney’s Office Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence


PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION AGENDAAGENDA

HistoryHistory

PartnersPartners

ClientsClients

Measuring SuccessMeasuring Success

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned


It has been a long road…Family Justice Center, Brooklyn N.Y.

“A Series of Firsts”

• 1990 District Attorney Charles J. Hynes takes office and begins one of the first Domestic Violence Bureaus in a large urban district attorney’s office.

• 1994 Mandatory Arrest Laws pass in New York State.

• 1995 Specialized Social Workers hired.

• 1996 Specialized Domestic Violence Court begins in Brooklyn – First Felony Domestic Violence Court in USA

• 1997 Misdemeanor Courts open

• 2006 Integrated Domestic Violence courts open


KCDA GRANTSKCDA GRANTSKey: Community CollaborationsKey: Community Collaborations

Funding Source: Office on Violence Against WomenFunding Source: Office on Violence Against Women

• 1997 Project Save

• 1998 Central Brooklyn Task Force

– KCDA

– Arab American Family Support Center

– Asian Women’s Center

– Center Against Domestic Violence

– NYPD

• 1999 Barrier Free Justice

– Barrier Free Living (Shelter)

– South Brooklyn Legal Services


KCDA GRANTS (continued)KCDA GRANTS (continued)

• 2001 2001 Project EdenProject Eden

• 2003 2003 Project ShieldProject Shield

– YAI – National Institute for People with Disabilities

• 2003 2003 Altria – EdenAltria – Eden

• 2004 2004 Youthful Offender CourtYouthful Offender Court

– Steps to End Family Violence

• 2007 2007 Early Victim EngagementEarly Victim Engagement

– Safe Horizon

– Safe Homes


WHAT DID WE LEARN?WHAT DID WE LEARN?

Criminal JusticeCriminal Justice• “Episodically” – Driven

• Relates to specific incidents

• Criminal Justice: Fast with specific timelines to follow

• Prosecutors represent the “State”

Domestic ViolenceDomestic Violence• “Whole life” – Driven

• Beyond one event

• Slow, resource intensive


GOALGOAL

Basic Premise:Basic Premise:

• Isolation of Victim supports the offender.

• Longer the isolation, greater victim risk.

Goal:Goal:

• Reduce isolation by supporting the victim with an array of services that is easily and quickly accessed.


SHORT -TERMSHORT -TERM

• Collapse amount of time it takes to address Collapse amount of time it takes to address the “whole life” of the victim.the “whole life” of the victim.

• The greater the access to meaningful and The greater the access to meaningful and varied support and help, the shorter the time varied support and help, the shorter the time children will be exposed.children will be exposed.

• If children’s exposure is abbreviated, the If children’s exposure is abbreviated, the cycle of violence will be curtailed.cycle of violence will be curtailed.


LONG-TERMLONG-TERM

• Intimate Partner Homicides will decrease Intimate Partner Homicides will decrease due to help available earlier – Immigrants due to help available earlier – Immigrants especially.especially.

• More services and greater More services and greater varietyvariety will be will be accessed so individual “fit” is achieved by accessed so individual “fit” is achieved by client.client.


NYC FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER NYC FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER BROOKLYN, NYBROOKLYN, NY

Opened July 20, 2005

Dedicated in memory of Regina Drew.


NYC FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERNYC FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERBROOKLYN, NYBROOKLYN, NY

NYC – Brooklyn - one of 15 sites nationally to receive U.S. NYC – Brooklyn - one of 15 sites nationally to receive U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women start-up Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women start-up grant. grant.

The FJC is an entire floor (30,000 square feet) in the Kings County The FJC is an entire floor (30,000 square feet) in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in downtown Brooklyn – located in a city District Attorney’s Office in downtown Brooklyn – located in a city leased high-rise building that is close to transportation hubs and the leased high-rise building that is close to transportation hubs and the courts.courts.

District Attorney Hynes made room within our agency, relocating District Attorney Hynes made room within our agency, relocating over 100 employees, so that community organizations could move in over 100 employees, so that community organizations could move in with us.with us.

Co-located, wrap around, holistic criminal justice and community Co-located, wrap around, holistic criminal justice and community based services for victims of intimate partner violence and elder based services for victims of intimate partner violence and elder abuse in Brooklyn.abuse in Brooklyn.


PARTNERSPARTNERS FJC Administration (Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic FJC Administration (Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic

Violence) operates Center; partner agencies deliver direct Violence) operates Center; partner agencies deliver direct services to clients.services to clients.

Kings County District Attorney’s Office (“KCDA”) is the co-lead Kings County District Attorney’s Office (“KCDA”) is the co-lead partner agency with the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic partner agency with the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence.Violence.

14 community nonprofit agencies on-site with either full or part-14 community nonprofit agencies on-site with either full or part-time staffing.time staffing.

4 civil legal providers on-site with full or part time staffing.4 civil legal providers on-site with full or part time staffing.

6 government agencies on-site with full or part-time staffing 6 government agencies on-site with full or part-time staffing (KCDA, New York City Police Dept., Probation, Human (KCDA, New York City Police Dept., Probation, Human Resources Administration (public assistance), DOITT and Resources Administration (public assistance), DOITT and Department for the Aging).Department for the Aging).


FJC ON-SITE PARTNERSFJC ON-SITE PARTNERS

Community Side of the FJC:Community Side of the FJC:(Approximately 70 staff, 20 active (Approximately 70 staff, 20 active volunteers/interns)volunteers/interns)

Nonprofit victim advocates (ranging from case managers Nonprofit victim advocates (ranging from case managers to Master Level social workers) from 14 community to Master Level social workers) from 14 community based nonprofit groupsbased nonprofit groups

Civil legal attorneys from 4 on-site civil legal agenciesCivil legal attorneys from 4 on-site civil legal agencies

Interfaith Spiritual CaregiversInterfaith Spiritual Caregivers

Volunteers/Interns – provide both administrative support Volunteers/Interns – provide both administrative support and law school student supportand law school student support


WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON-SITE AT THE FJC?ON-SITE AT THE FJC?

CRIMINAL:CRIMINAL:

Prosecution of all intimate partner violence and Prosecution of all intimate partner violence and elder abuse arrest cases in Brooklynelder abuse arrest cases in Brooklyn

Crisis InterventionCrisis Intervention

Short and Long-term Counseling, Support Short and Long-term Counseling, Support GroupsGroups

Police ServicesPolice Services

Probation InformationProbation Information


On-Site Services Provided at FJCOn-Site Services Provided at FJC (continued)(continued)

CIVIL:CIVIL:

CIVIL Legal Services – family law and immigration

Drafting of temporary order of protection petitions

Elder Abuse Services – Elder OP project



ECONOMIC:ECONOMIC:

Housing/shelter advocacy

Self-Sufficiency Services - English Classes, job placement and readiness

Public Assistance information

Practical Assistance (food pantry, clothing closet, baby supplies)



MENTAL HEALTH:MENTAL HEALTH:

Children’s Services – Margaret’s Place – supervised play, counseling

Voluntary Interfaith Spiritual care


Criminal Justice / Government Side of the FJC:Criminal Justice / Government Side of the FJC:(Approximately 80 staff)(Approximately 80 staff)

Kings County District Attorney’s Office -The entire Domestic Violence Bureau including misdemeanor and felony Assistant District Attorneys, government victim advocates, detective investigators and support staff

1 New York City Department of Probation Officer

2 New York City Police Department Domestic Violence Prevention Officers

Human Resources Administration (Public Assistance Money)

Department for the Aging


FJC CLIENT VOLUMEFJC CLIENT VOLUME

Brooklyn has a population of over 2.5 million - most people of the 5 Brooklyn has a population of over 2.5 million - most people of the 5 boroughs in NYC boroughs in NYC

Close to 37% of clients are foreign-bornClose to 37% of clients are foreign-born

Brooklyn has the highest number of reported domestic violence Brooklyn has the highest number of reported domestic violence crimes citywidecrimes citywide

The Kings County District Attorney’s Office (Brooklyn) prosecutes all The Kings County District Attorney’s Office (Brooklyn) prosecutes all domestic violence misdemeanor and felony crimes in Brooklyn- domestic violence misdemeanor and felony crimes in Brooklyn- average of 8,000 domestic violence cases per yearaverage of 8,000 domestic violence cases per year


CLIENTSCLIENTS

How Do Clients Get There?

ARRESTSCurrently, approximately

65% of clients at theFJC are referred by

The DA’s Office.

REPEAT / FOLLOW-UP VISITS

Agencies on-site makeappointments for

follow-up.

REFERRALS• Police• Family Court• Community Organizations• Media


FJC CLIENT SUCCESS STORYFJC CLIENT SUCCESS STORY

• Abuser was arrested for assault on victim. Abuser Abuser was arrested for assault on victim. Abuser on Parole at time of arrest.on Parole at time of arrest.

• Victim came to FJC to meet with a prosecutor.Victim came to FJC to meet with a prosecutor.

• Criminal Justice Assessment done:Criminal Justice Assessment done:– What is available evidence?What is available evidence?

• PhotosPhotos

• 911 emergency call911 emergency call

• Domestic Incident ReportDomestic Incident Report

– What are provable charges?What are provable charges?

– What are likely outcomes?What are likely outcomes?

– Can Parole violate offender?Can Parole violate offender?


WHAT ABOUT CIVIL, ECONOMIC, WHAT ABOUT CIVIL, ECONOMIC, IMMIGRATION, MENTAL HEALTH JUSTICE?IMMIGRATION, MENTAL HEALTH JUSTICE?

CIVIL JUSTICECIVIL JUSTICE

• Case Manager was assigned from Safe Horizon.

• If the client had children with the batterer, she would be referred to lawyers who could help with child custody, support, visitation.


ECONOMIC JUSTICEECONOMIC JUSTICE

• Case manager helped to secure affordable housing.Case manager helped to secure affordable housing.

• ““Verizon Hopeline” telephone obtained for client to allow her Verizon Hopeline” telephone obtained for client to allow her the ability to contact employers.the ability to contact employers.

• Referral made to self-sufficiency program.Referral made to self-sufficiency program.

• Client connected to Workforce One (city job placement Client connected to Workforce One (city job placement initiative).initiative).

• Metropolitan Council helped her to update resume.Metropolitan Council helped her to update resume.

• Information on obtaining driver’s license provided to enhance Information on obtaining driver’s license provided to enhance job prospects.job prospects.


MENTAL HEALTH JUSTICEMENTAL HEALTH JUSTICE

• Children’s Center on site.

• Counseling provided through Sanctuary for Families.


CRIMINAL JUSTICECRIMINAL JUSTICE

• Abuser was convicted and sentenced to Abuser was convicted and sentenced to 90 days in jail.90 days in jail.

• Parole violation hearing pending for Parole violation hearing pending for greater sentence.greater sentence.

• Relocation to occur before defendant’s Relocation to occur before defendant’s release.release.


MEASURING SUCCESSMEASURING SUCCESS

• 10,682 clients have visited the FJC on at least one occasion.

• 2,824 children have used the FJC Children’s Room.

• 28,372 Client visits.

• 900-1000 client visits per month.300 – 400 new clients.

• KCDA cases increased by 30%.


• An average of 6 services accessed per client.An average of 6 services accessed per client.

• Volume of witnesses coming to us has increased by over Volume of witnesses coming to us has increased by over 46%.46%.

• Family-related Homicides decreased in Brooklyn from Family-related Homicides decreased in Brooklyn from 2002-2006 by 30%.2002-2006 by 30%.

• Special immigrant visa certifications have quadrupled.Special immigrant visa certifications have quadrupled.

• Children receiving on-site counseling one-on-one and Children receiving on-site counseling one-on-one and groups.groups.

• Certain Partner agencies, i.e., Tamkeen (Middle Eastern Certain Partner agencies, i.e., Tamkeen (Middle Eastern victims) have increased clients to FJC.victims) have increased clients to FJC.


LESSONS LEARNEDLESSONS LEARNED

• FJC is a Laboratory for new collaborations, FJC is a Laboratory for new collaborations, higher level of expertise among all.higher level of expertise among all.

• Challenges: Confidentiality between Community Challenges: Confidentiality between Community partners and Government partners.partners and Government partners.

• Communication is key.Communication is key.

• Cross - Training – Cross - Training – ConstantlyConstantly is key. is key.

• Consistent Outreach to Community necessary.Consistent Outreach to Community necessary.


OTHER FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERSOTHER FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERS• First: San Diego, California• U.S.: About 26 all around the United States

INTERNATIONAL:INTERNATIONAL:• Canada• Mexico• England (Croydon)• Jordan• Bahrain and others


CONTACT INFORMATIONCONTACT INFORMATION

Wanda LucibelloChief, Special Victims DivisionKings County District Attorney’s Office350 Jay Street, 15th FloorBrooklyn, New York 11201

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.brooklynda.org www.nyc.gov/domesticviolence

Click on Family Justice Center

stopping domestic violence: what works? 28 th to 30 th may 2008, waterford institute of technology...

Documents

domestic violence slide

state domestic violence

domestic violence nypd

domestic violence bureaus

family violence

felony domestic violence

prevention of domestic

isolation of victim