Domestic Violence High Risk Assessment Team Unveiled Today…

Domestic Violence High Risk Assessment Team Unveiled Today in Oneida County

At an afternoon press conference outside the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Robert Maciol officially unveiled and introduced the Oneida County Domestic Violence High Risk Assessment Team (DVHRT).

This first of its kind in the region multidisciplinary DVHRT meets regularly and reviews all domestic violence cases that fall into the high risk category. During their review, the DVHRT shares information and implements specific and coordinated intervention plans to mitigate the danger to the victims. These plans focus primarily on victim safety and offender accountability while closing other systematic gaps.

Current members of the Oneida County Domestic Violence High Risk Assessment Team include the YWCA of the Mohawk Valley, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, the Oneida County Probation Department, the Oneida County Department of Social Services, the Utica Police Department, and the Rome Police Department

Speakers at today’s press conference included Sheriff Robert Maciol, Executive Director of the YWCA of the Mohawk Valley Dianne Stancato, and Gina Pierce – sister of Kristin Longo who was killed in a domestic violence incident twelve years ago today. Gina was also at today’s press conference representing Kristin’s Fund which is the non-profit organization that provided the funding for the DVHRT training that was modeled after the one developed by the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center.

This is a very exciting project that was made possible by a lot of caring people and agencies that are dedicated to protecting victims and ending domestic violence.