The Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention has awarded $196,354 in grant funding to help protect victims of domestic violence, under the state’s Domestic Violence Unit Program (DVUP). These grants allow local sheriffs and police departments to create specialized units for the service of ex partes and protective orders and to update and maintain their domestic violence databases.
Protective orders are vitally important for victims of domestic violence because they order an abuser to stay away from the victim. A temporary protective order can be issued “ex parte,” which means that the respondent is not present in court.
The DVUP offers law enforcement the resources to meet District and Circuit Courts guidelines for efficient and timely serving of ex partes and protective orders. It reduces the time between the issuance of ex partes and protective orders and their entry into law enforcement databases. Once that process is complete, police have the legal authority to block an individual from harassing or even harming another.
“We must do all we can to protect victims of domestic violence,” said Christopher B. Shank, GOCCP’s Executive Director. “Knowing when a protective order is served is vital for officers in police departments or sheriff’s offices. Once that order has been served, the abuser must stay away from the victim or face legal consequences.”
Grant funds requested through this application are limited to programs directly related to the service and data entry of protective orders and/or ex partes. Funding supports efforts to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Funds must be used on services that are directly related to protective order operations, (i.e., salaries and overtime). The funds must supplement existing data entry and service for ex parte and protective orders and may not underwrite other existing programs or service.
