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Domestic Violence Resources
The Shaler Township Police Department, investigates cases involving current or former sexual or intimate partners who engage in criminal conduct of a threatening, intimidating or physically violent nature. We are committed to investigating domestic violence crimes vigorously, with the safety of domestic violence victims as our primary concern.
The Shaler Township Police participate in the Lethality Assessment Program. All of our officers are trained to administer a lethality screen questoinnaire.
Between 2001 and 2011, at least 1,700 people in Pennsylvania died as a result of domestic violence—mostly abused women but also children, law enforcement officers, friends, coworkers, passersby and perpetrators who killed themselves. These deaths leave a wake of grief and devastation among the families and communities left questioning what, if anything, can be done to stop the lethal toll of domestic violence.
National research into the circumstances preceding domestic violence homicides has given us an option that has proven effective at saving victims’ lives: the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP). LAP is a two-pronged intervention process featuring a research-based lethality screening tool and accompanying protocols that enable law enforcement and other first responders to assess domestic violence victims, identify those at highest risk of being killed and immediately initiate contact with a domestic violence service provider to connect victims with the services proven to reduce their high risk of homicide.
In 2012, PCADV began the initial phase of LAP implementation in communities within 12 Pennsylvania counties, with the goal of expanding this research-driven program to all 67 counties to ensure that even more lives are saved. In Maryland, where LAP is nearly universally applied by law enforcement and domestic violence programs, the homicide rate fell 41 percent. If Pennsylvania can replicate these results, hundreds of lives could be saved.
- Domestic violence is the most under reported crime in America.
- Domestic battering tends to increase and become more violent over time.
- Estimated total annual medical cost of domestic violence in Pennsylvania was $326.6 million.
- 39% of all female victims of homicide in Pennsylvania were victims of domestic violence.
Lethality Assessment Program
The Shaler Township Police participate in the Lethality Assessment Program. All of our officers are trained to administer a lethality screen questoinnaire.
Between 2001 and 2011, at least 1,700 people in Pennsylvania died as a result of domestic violence—mostly abused women but also children, law enforcement officers, friends, coworkers, passersby and perpetrators who killed themselves. These deaths leave a wake of grief and devastation among the families and communities left questioning what, if anything, can be done to stop the lethal toll of domestic violence.
National research into the circumstances preceding domestic violence homicides has given us an option that has proven effective at saving victims’ lives: the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP). LAP is a two-pronged intervention process featuring a research-based lethality screening tool and accompanying protocols that enable law enforcement and other first responders to assess domestic violence victims, identify those at highest risk of being killed and immediately initiate contact with a domestic violence service provider to connect victims with the services proven to reduce their high risk of homicide.
In 2012, PCADV began the initial phase of LAP implementation in communities within 12 Pennsylvania counties, with the goal of expanding this research-driven program to all 67 counties to ensure that even more lives are saved. In Maryland, where LAP is nearly universally applied by law enforcement and domestic violence programs, the homicide rate fell 41 percent. If Pennsylvania can replicate these results, hundreds of lives could be saved.
Who are the Victims of Domestic Violence?
Victims of domestic violence can be female or male, of any race, religion, sexual orientation or economic background. Women are ten times more likely to be victimized by an intimate partner than men. Approximately two million women in America are victims of domestic violence every year.
What to do if you are a victim of Domestic Violence?
- Report domestic violence to the police.
- Get medical attention if you have been injured.
- Get a protection from abuse (PFA) order.
- Get assistance for you and your children. Shelters provide a variety of support services that are confidential and free of charge. Services include;
- 24 Hour Confidential Crisis Hotline.
- Legal Advocates to assist victims in the court process.
- Shelter for victims and children.
- Information and referrals.
- Individual counseling and support groups.
Criminal System
If your partner has committed criminal conduct of a threatening, intimidating or physically violent nature criminal charges can be filed by calling the police.
After the defendant is arrested, the Magisterial District Judge sets a bond amount. If the defendant can raise this amount of money they will be released from jail. In some cases additional conditions, such as no contact with the victim, are placed on the defendant. If the defendant violates these additional conditions the defendant's bond may be revoked and the defendant may be sent to jail.
The first hearing after a criminal case is filed is called the preliminary hearing. It will normally be scheduled within 3 to 10 days after the defendant is arrested. The victim is required to come to the preliminary hearing, which is held at the Magisterial District Judge's
office.
The preliminary hearing is held to determine whether or not to hold the case for trial. If the case is held for trial, a trial or plea will take place several months later at the Allegheny County Courthouse located at the corner of Forbes and Grant Streets in downtown Pittsburgh.
The victim should receive a subpoena to appear for the trial. All persons (including victims) are required by law to obey a subpoena and appear for the trial.
The victim may also be asked by the District Attorney to attend a Pre-trial Interview at the District Attorney's Office in order to assist in preparing the case.
Allegheny County District Attorney's Domestic Violence Prosecution Unit
The District Attorney of Allegheny County is leading the fight against domestic violence. Domestic violence is not a private family matter but rather is criminal conduct the must be prosecuted vigorously. Through its policies and procedures, the Office of the District Attorney will work to promote the safety of domestic violence victims while at the same time holding batterers accountable for their criminal conduct.
With victim safety as our primary goal, the success of the Domestic Violence Prosecution Unit will not be measured by the number of convictions. The new unit intends to prosecute cases of domestic violence more vigorously than they have been prosecuted in the past, focusing on improvement in three areas;
- Filing all appropriate criminal charges.
- Ensuring cases are not withdrawn or dropped simply due to victim reluctance, but are pursued based on the facts of the case and law. Assistant District Attorney's will make decisions on how to proceed in consultation with the police and victim input.
- Monitoring of the defendant's compliance with all conditions of bond and probation; such as an order of no contact, failure to comply with counseling and commission of new crimes.
The Office of the District Attorney will work together with other agencies in an effort to assist victims in ending the violence in their lives.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS AND HOTLINES
Due to the confidential nature of the work and the need to maintain safety and security, domestic violence programs we do not publish the addresses of their shelters or safe homes. The hotline number is the key to accessing all the shelter services.
Crisis Center North
24 Hour CCN Hotline: (412) 364-5556 | 24 Hour Toll Free Hotline: (866) 782-0911
Safe Home Intake and Crisis Counseling 24 hours