Domestic Violence Prevention

Montgomery County (Md.) Sheriff Darren Popkin discusses the problem of domestic violence homicide. The announcement featured officials from the local, state, and federal levels.

United States Senator from Maryland Ben Cardin acknowledges the need for law enforcement collaboration to prevent domestic violence. The announcement came on the heels of the passing of the Violence Against Women Act.

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley remarks on the state's efforts to combat domestic violence. Maryland has a program entitled the Lethality Assessment Program that has allowed law enforcement to identify and assist victims of domestic violence.

Westminster Police Chief Jeffery Spaulding welcomes Attorney General Eric Holder to the podium. "Thanks to initiatives like this one - and the hard work of countless public servants and victim advocates - Maryland has witnessed a decrease of more than one third in intimate partner homicides over the past five years, at a time when some states are reporting record spikes in domestic violence murders."

Attorney General Eric Holder announces the Justice Department's commitment to award $2.3 million dollars to 12 cities and counties to support programs that diagnose and prevent domestic violence. "Beyond our traditional enforcement efforts - by supporting the development and evaluation of domestic violence homicide prevention models, and then adapting these models for different communities - this new Initiative will strengthen our ability to reduce these heinous crimes and help those who are at risk."

Domestic violence victims advocate Janet Blackburn discusses the positive impact of the new Initiative. On average, three women are murdered every day in this country by a boyfriend, husband, or ex-husband. Experts estimate that, for every victim of domestic violence who is killed, an additional nine nearly lose their lives.

Denise A. Walker, Attorney Advisor in the General Counsel for Natural Resources at the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration addresses how NOAA has created a process for making proactive disclosures of records. "We know what risk factors put someone in greater danger of being killed by the person they love - and that also means we have the opportunity to step in and try to prevent these murders. That's why these grants are so important. They'll help stop violence before it turns deadly."

Vice President Biden affirms his commitment to helping those affected by domestic violence. The new DVHP Initiative is based on an assessment tool that researchers have identified that can be used to reliably recognize women who may be in fatally abusive relationships. Once at-risk victims are identified, law enforcement, prosecutors, courts and service providers can take action to protect them and their families.

Vice President Joe Biden lends his support to the Initiative and recognizes the efforts of law enforcement in their fight against domestic violence. In total, the Department of Justice will award $2.3 million to 12 sites across the country as part of the new Domestic Violence Homicide Prevention Demonstration Initiative (DVHP Initiative). The DVHP Initiative, created by the Justice Department's Office on Violence Against Women, (OVW) helps state and local jurisdictions reduce domestic violence homicides by effectively identifying potential victims and monitoring high-risk offenders.