The Village of Liberty Police Department is working with Fearless Hudson Valley to improve its response to domestic violence incidents, with a focus on identifying high-risk cases and connecting survivors with support services.

The partnership comes as October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month and as Fearless reports an increase in requests for assistance across Orange and Sullivan counties.

Liberty Police Chief Steven D’Agata said officers responded to nearly 200 reported domestic incidents in the village last year. While officers have traditionally focused on securing the scene, investigating potential crimes and making arrests when necessary, the department is expanding its approach to include immediate connections to victim advocates.

Officers now conduct lethality assessments at domestic violence scenes, using research-based questions to identify warning signs that a situation could escalate into serious injury or death.

Based on the results, officers can connect survivors directly with advocates from Fearless Hudson Valley, allowing them to begin discussing safety plans and available resources before officers leave the scene.

“The officer’s now on scene with a cell phone will attempt to make a connection directly with a Fearless advocate so they can begin safety planning,” D’Agata said.

Fearless Hudson Valley provides services to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking and other crimes throughout Orange and Sullivan counties. Its advocates work with law enforcement, hospitals, social service agencies and the courts to assist survivors.

Executive Director Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier said the partnership with Liberty Police grew from ongoing efforts to improve how high-risk domestic violence cases are identified and handled.

She said law enforcement officers are often among the first people to encounter survivors who face the greatest risk of serious violence.

The goal is to make that initial contact an opportunity to connect individuals with services as quickly as possible.

Fearless has also seen a rise in people seeking assistance. Kostyal-Larrier said calls to its hotlines have increased 19 percent compared to last year and 30 percent over the past five years.

She cautioned that the increase does not necessarily indicate a corresponding rise in domestic violence incidents, noting that expanded outreach and partnerships have helped make more people aware of available resources.

Survivors often face challenges that extend beyond the initial incident, including financial insecurity, housing concerns, access to food and other basic necessities, and navigating the legal system.

Kostyal-Larrier said one of the biggest misconceptions about domestic violence is that leaving an abusive relationship immediately resolves the situation.

“Leaving isn’t an option for everybody, and leaving is a process, not an event,” she said.

In some cases, she said, leaving can increase the danger a survivor faces, making individualized safety planning particularly important.

Technology has also created additional challenges, with electronic devices and online platforms increasingly being used for stalking, monitoring and controlling behavior.

D’Agata said individuals concerned about their digital safety should seek assistance from victim advocates who can help them understand potential risks and develop appropriate safety plans.

For friends, family members and coworkers who suspect someone is experiencing domestic violence, Kostyal-Larrier encouraged offering support without judgment or pressure.

“I think the most helpful thing you can do is to show up and listen without judgment,” she said.

She warned that well-intentioned efforts to intervene can sometimes place survivors at greater risk if their circumstances are not fully understood.

The partnership between Fearless and Liberty Police is intended to strengthen communication between officers and advocates while improving the department’s ability to recognize patterns of abuse and respond to potentially dangerous situations.

D’Agata said addressing domestic violence requires more than responding to individual incidents. It also involves holding offenders accountable and ensuring survivors have access to resources that can help them make informed decisions about their safety.

Fearless Hudson Valley operates a confidential, 24-hour hotline at 845-562-5340 for individuals experiencing domestic violence or anyone seeking guidance on how to help someone who may be at risk.

Anyone facing an immediate emergency should call 911.