(Washington, DC) Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment (SAFE) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC) have implemented the On-Call Victim Advocacy Pilot Project (OCAPP) in two police service areas known for high rates of reported domestic violence. The results so far are promising.

On OCAPP’s very first night, an on-call advocate was contacted by a police officer to assist a victim whose perpetrator was violating a civil protection order. The victim did not have a copy of the order, and it had not been entered into the police department’s computerized tracking system. 

Due to the victim’s recent interactions with SAFE, the OCAPP advocate was able to verify the protection order’s existence and, as a result, the police officer was able to arrest the perpetrator on the scene. 

"Mondays are the busiest days at SAFE," says SAFE Director Elisabeth Olds. “Because there has historically been no access to advocates and resources after regular business hours. People had to wait until Monday to seek help for crimes that occurred over the weekend. We may do 35 to 50 intakes—almost double our average daily client intake—on any given Monday.
 
"Many clients that SAFE sees on Mondays have been in hiding for more than 24 hours because they had no access to services and resources, and an arrest may not have been possible," says Olds. "When they finally talk with an advocate to receive assistance with obtaining safe emergency shelter, filing a protection order and other services, they express relief."

It is a relief that was shared by police officers and detectives who respond to domestic violence crime calls.

"Since beginning the Domestic Violence Police Training Project with MPD in 2004, we have seen a dramatic increase in calls from officers requesting information, referral resources, literature, and sometimes calling about a particular victim whom they are trying to assist," notes Olds. Every year, the project trains all MPD police officers as part of their required annual in-service training.

"Officers were frustrated that they were armed with information about domestic violence services for victims, but unable to access those resources at the times they are most needed—during the overnight hours and on weekends and holidays, when most reported incidents of domestic violence occur."

As this pilot project unfolds, SAFE hopes to receive adequate funding to implement OCAPP services across the city. “Residents and police officers throughout the District must have immediate access to support services when domestic violence crimes occur,” says Olds. “Waiting hours or days for help shouldn’t be a reality for anyone in need.”

About Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment (SAFE)
SAFE provides services for more than 4,000 victims each year at both DVIC locations, and operates the CourtWatch and OCAPP projects. Formerly a program of the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, SAFE is in the process of establishing itself as a nonprofit organization. As of October 1, 2007, SAFE will be a separate and independent nonprofit agency.