Erie County DA's Office Observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month

BUFFALO - In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, District Attorney Mike Keane reminds the residents of Erie County that his office remains a resource for victims of domestic violence and will continue to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law. DA Keane encourages anyone who has been a victim of domestic violence or may be at-risk of abuse to inquire about services available through the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program.

Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling behavior by an intimate partner or family member that may include physical abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, isolation, verbal abuse, financial abuse and/or sexual abuse. Abusers may use other tactics to gain power and control of a victim such as minimizing, denying, making threats or blaming the victim for their own behavior. A person may not realize that they are a victim or at-risk of violence if the perpetrator has not become physically abusive yet. Abusive behaviors can happen quickly or slowly over time. If an intimate partner or family member exhibits behavior toward an individual that restricts their personal freedom or causes fear, that person may be a victim of domestic violence or at-risk of abuse. It can be difficult and potentially dangerous to leave an abusive relationship, which is why it is important to seek help and create a safety plan with an experienced victim advocate.

The BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program specializes in victim advocacy within the criminal courts. There are eight BE SAFE victim advocates who work within the Erie County District Attorney's Office, but it is a separate and distinct program that provides trauma-informed support and resources to anyone who has been impacted by domestic or intimate partner violence.

While BE SAFE program primarily works with victims who are navigating the criminal justice process and rebuilding their lives following the arrest of the offender, you do not need to have a pending criminal case to speak with an advocate and access services, which include:

• Individualized risk assessment and safety planning
• Case management, supportive counseling and crisis intervention
• Advocacy and working with prosecutors to file criminal charges and obtain orders of protection
• Accompaniment to criminal court proceedings
• Referrals for partner agencies for services, including counseling, medical care, housing and employment
• Assistance with filing applications with the New York State Office of Victim Services and the New York State Address Confidentiality Program

BE SAFE victim advocates are available to meet in-person at their office, located inside Buffalo City Court, 50 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, or can provide remote advocacy over the phone during office hours. So far this year, our advocates have provided 16,323 total units of service to 1,210 clients. Services include supportive counseling, safety planning, referrals, hotline assistance, crisis intervention, transportation, translations, and applications for crime victim compensation through the New York State Office of Victim Services.

The Erie County DA's Office is dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of domestic violence-related crimes. Currently, there are eight experienced Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the Domestic Violence Bureau who exclusively handle criminal cases involving domestic and intimate partner violence. It is our mission to aggressively pursue justice on behalf of our most vulnerable victims while being mindful of unique issues and dynamics associated with these crimes. Due to the sensitive nature of these investigations, the prosecutors assigned to the Domestic Violence Bureau receive specialized training to prosecute cases through a multi-disciplinary team approach designed to minimize further trauma to the victim.

The Domestic Violence Bureau has a dual mission: to prosecute offenders and to prevent them from harming the victim in the future. In addition to holding abusers accountable for their crimes, our Assistant District Attorneys work to secure orders of protection to prevent the defendant from having further contact with the victim.

Our office is part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes law enforcement, probation and community-based providers. Together, we identify high-risk victims of domestic violence and work to increase survivor safety. Recently, Governor Hochul allocated new state funding to support our collective effort to respond to, mitigate, and prosecute domestic violence, specifically intimate partner violence, and comprehensively address the needs of victims through evidence-based, survivor-centered, trauma-informed and culturally responsive interventions. The Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) initiative aims to enhance case intervention strategies focused on collecting evidence, prosecuting offenders, and connecting high-risk survivors to supportive services.

Starting tonight and through the month of October, Old County Hall, located at 92 Franklin Street in the City of Buffalo, will be illuminated in purple to recognize the courage and strength of the survivors and remember those who have lost their lives to domestic violence.

"Domestic violence is a silent epidemic that thrives in an environment of secrecy and shame. It is important that we continue to talk about this issue, recognize the signs of domestic violence, and share information on how to access help. My office will continue to provide support for the survivors of domestic violence and aggressively prosecute these offenders to the fullest extent of the law," said Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane.

To the members of our community: if you are experiencing abuse, know that you are not alone and help is available. To every member of law enforcement, victim advocate, community partner, and service provider - thank you for your work to help survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence. Together, we can make our community safer for everyone.

Erie County DA's Office Victim/Witness Services Bureau: 716-858-4640

BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program: 716-858-4630

For more information on the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Advocacy Program, visit https://www.erie.gov/besafe.