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Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Supports Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Posted on: 10/24/
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) last week awarded grants totaling $607,302 to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) to strengthen services to victims and improve public protection.
"The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a nationally acclaimed leader in the field of service to victims of domestic violence," said PCCD executive director Carl Anderson. "October is national Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and there is no better time to recognize PCADV for its important work on behalf of families in crisis."
PCADV received a grant of $532,302 for continuation of the Protection From Abuse Database (PFAD), which tracks all protection from abuse proceedings in the Commonwealth. This archival database complements the Protection Order Registry operated by the Pennsylvania State Police.
"The Protection From Abuse Database enhances the safety of victims of domestic violence," said Susan Kelly-Dreiss, PCADV executive director. "Law enforcement and the courts can instantly access life-saving information regarding protection orders and proceedings, which is critical when making arrest and detention decisions. Protection orders work to prevent further violence when all involved agencies collaborate to hold abusers accountable."
According to the Coalition, the PFAD system automates the PFA process in the courts; provides critical statewide data for analysis by the courts and law enforcement; and creates and disseminates the PSP Protection From Abuse Summary Data Sheet - information necessary for inclusion in the PSP Registry. The PFAD system also contains all standardized PFA forms approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, as well as other forms used in protection from abuse cases. PFAD is accessible only to authorized users, such as courts or legal agencies.
PCADV also will receive a separate grant of $75,000 to develop a crime-victims compensation training program for domestic violence advocates. The training will be designed to raise awareness of PCCD's Crime Victims Compensation program among volunteers who counsel victims of domestic violence.
The Crime Victims Compensation program helps to ease the financial burdens faced by victims and their families as a result of a crime. Compensation may cover a wide range of expenses, including counseling, lost wages and relocation costs. During the last fiscal year, the program awarded 167 domestic violence assault claims totaling $381,527 and 55 domestic violence homicide claims totaling $107,942.
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency is the commonwealth's lead agency for criminal justice policy issues. During the fiscal year, PCCD distributed more than $140 million in state and federal funding to programs that are proven to prevent crime and strengthen communities. PCCD also provides essential support services to law enforcement agencies and offers financial assistance to victims of crime.
Source: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
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