Universal Response to
Domestic Violence
A HISTORY OF COLLABORATION
Created in 1994, the Universal Response to Domestic Violence Project works to oversee a coordinated community response between numerous Dutchess County partners to address gaps in the systemic response to domestic violence. Family Services’ Center for Victim Safety and Support employs a Project Coordinator to oversee the implementation of training and act as a liaison between all partner agencies on the Steering Committee.
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Kaitlin Rodriques
krodriques@familyservicesny.org
HIGH-RISK RESPONSE
The Center for Victim Safety and Support provides training and resources for local law enforcement agencies in the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), a screening tool and referral protocol for domestic violence incident response. The program identifies victims of domestic violence who are at risk of being seriously injured or killed by their abusers and connects them to a domestic violence advocate from the Center for Victim Safety and Support immediately following an abusive incident. This instant connection with an advocate provides victims with immediate safety planning, assistance navigating the criminal justice system, and access to critical domestic violence services.
The Project Coordinator stewards ongoing and new trainings and program activities for all parties involved.
Steering Committee
Funding Acknowledgement
This project is funded in part by Dutchess County and the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Statewide Targeted Reduction in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) Initiative.
