Domestic Violence Advocate Program

On November 3, 2017, the Holland Police Department established a partnership with Stop Abuse Today, Inc [SAT], a local nonprofit organization whose purpose is to support abuse victims and their families. Their primary objective is to provide education, awareness, outreach, and support concerning domestic abuse, elder abuse, and bullying among our youth. Our alliance with SAT dates back to the predecessor of the group (the Tri-Town Domestic Violence Task Force) which served the Towns of Brimfield, Holland, and Wales since 2001.

In 2019 we established a Domestic Violence Advocate Program [DVAP] in conjunction with the group. This came about as the result of a coalition with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission [PVPC]. Through the hard work of these organizations, we were able to secure funding for the Program by participating in a public service Community Development Block Grant [CDBG] with Brimfield and Wales. This allowed us to work with a Domestic Violence Advocate, and through the assistance of Behavioral Health Network [BHN], the Program supported our citizens by providing support for survivors of domestic violence.

Although the CDBG funding portion of the Program has come to an end, we have maintained our partnership with SAT and continue to work with them regularly as a resource. Additionally, we have maintained our relationship with BHN as a referral service for domestic violence survivors and their families.

The mission of the Program is to establish and maintain a collaborative relationship between SAT and the Police Department for the purpose of providing assistance and services for those in the community who are affected by domestic violence. The Program is guided by the following principles, goals, and objectives:

• assist victims and survivors in working with law enforcement and the court system;
• assist victims and survivors in obtaining emergency housing, counseling, and other support; 
• provide emotional support for victims and survivors;
• develop and maintain partnerships with outside support providers;
• develop and maintain programs that will foster awareness and provide education about domestic violence.

Domestic Violence is an ongoing issue in our country. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, NCADV, (2015) domestic violence national statistics, shows that 266 victims were murdered in intimate partner homicides between 2003 and 2012. In a single day, 1,795 victims were served by Massachusetts domestic violence programs and nearly 1 in 3 Massachusetts women has experienced some type of physical violence.

We take domestic violence very seriously and as a result, strive to provide our citizens with the most comprehensive services possible. We firmly believe that we must all work together to promote healthy relationships to help prevent the abuse that afflicts our communities and families.

BHN can provide many professional services concerning domestic violence and we encourage those in need to contact them.