New screening tool for domestic violence cases
(Harrisburg) — The Pennsylvani Coalition Against Domestic Violence says a new screening tool helped more than 1,400 Pennsylvanians seek assistance from a local domestic violence shelter in 2015.
The Lethality Assessment Program gives police officers a list of eleven questions that can be used to determine a domestic violence victim’s risk of being killed in their situation.
Ellen Kramer, Legal Director for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, says police were often frustrated before this program came into use because they left the scene without knowing if the person sought additional help.
“So putting a phone in the hands of a victim connecting her or him with those services immediately sort of closes the loop and allows the police officer to go on to the next call or the next service that they need to provide, and puts the victim in the hands of somebody who can get them concrete help,” Kramer said.
Data from the program will be posted online where communities can see what the issues are, then set about resolving them.