The NYPD says cases of domestic violence are extremely under reported, but when a victim does comes forward, officers are stepping up their ability to help, as officers and victims are being equipped with technology. NY1′s Dean Meminger filed the following report.
The New York City Police Department is trying to get the message out: come forward and ask for help if you’re a victim of domestic violence.
“There are many, many services that we as an agency, and in collaboration with other city agencies and advocacy groups, can provide them for help,” said Deputy Chief Kathleen O’Reilly of the NYPD Domestic Violence unit.
Throughout October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, officers will be handing out information and speaking to people about the issue.
The NYPD is also turning to technology for help. It’s planning to start a pilot program in Harlem. Officers from Police Service Area 5 will use special equipment that can detect a bruise before it’s visible.
“Alternate light-source technology,” O’Reilly said. “And what that does is, it makes bruises and marks for a victim of strangulation, would be immediately seen and can be photographed by the police officer at the scene.”
Victims of domestic violence will also be given GPS tracking devices. A person will be able to secretively alert police if they’re in danger.
“They may not have access to a phone. The perpetrator may be preventing them from making a call,” O’Reilly said. “If they push that button, we’re going to be responding.”
Stephanie McGraw started the organization We All Really Matter, or WARM, in Harlem. She said victims need all the help they can get.
“This is the face of domestic violence. It may not look like it, but this is the face,” McGraw said. “We want women to know that domestic violence is a crime, not a shame, and it is nothing to be ashamed about. Love should never hurt.”
When it comes to crime, the NYPD is always trying to push the numbers down, but in the case of domestic violence, the department actually wants to see the number of reported cases go up.
O’Reilly said domestic violence is underreported, but she expects more people to come forward this month because of awareness efforts.
http://ift.tt/1qG7zH0
via Great Local News: New York http://ift.tt/1iZiLP1
No comments:
Post a Comment