KINGSTON, N.Y. — Ulster County is expanding its efforts to prevent domestic violence and support survivors, including plans for additional law enforcement training and a new survivor-focused working group.
County Executive Jen Metzger said recent domestic violence deaths in the community have underscored the need for additional prevention and intervention efforts. According to the county, domestic violence is the most common form of violent crime in Ulster County and accounts for more than 80% of people receiving assistance through the county’s Crime Victim Assistance Program.
The county is creating a working group through its Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Taskforce that will seek input directly from survivors and identify potential gaps in prevention and protection services.
Ulster County’s Crime Victim Assistance Program, or CVAP, provides a 24-hour hotline, safety planning, court accompaniment, assistance obtaining orders of protection, home security support and advocacy for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
The county is also moving forward with a Lethality Assessment Program, known as LAP, designed to help police identify domestic violence victims who may face a heightened risk of serious injury or death and connect them with services.
State lawmakers passed legislation earlier this year that would require law enforcement officers statewide to conduct lethality assessments as part of domestic violence incident reports. The legislation has passed both chambers and awaits action by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
According to Metzger’s letter, the Saugerties Police Department is already trained and using the assessment, while training is expected to expand to Rosendale and potentially other local law enforcement agencies.
The county is also planning expanded domestic and sexual violence training for law enforcement, including a larger training program during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.
At the same time, Metzger said state funding for Ulster County’s Crime Victim Assistance Program is being reduced by nearly 54%. She is calling for the funding to be restored.
Residents experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence can contact the Ulster County Crime Victim Assistance Program’s 24-hour hotline at 845-340-3442. The county also trains volunteers to serve as certified rape crisis counselors.