DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BUREAU

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BUREAU

The Domestic Violence Bureau has over fifty Assistant District Attorneys who are responsible for investigating and prosecuting over 10,000 cases of intimate partner violence each year.  The crimes range from Misdemeanor Assault and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing to Homicide. The Bureau has been at the forefront of prosecuting Sexual Assault, Cyber Abuse, Stalking, Strangulation and Gun Violence.

The Bureau is committed to meeting the needs of survivors by providing an holistic approach. This includes survivors meeting with counselors from the Office’s Victim Services Unit, who offer immediate crisis intervention in the form of short-term counseling and safety planning.

In order to prevent future DV homicides by firearms, the Bureau seeks Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) in Supreme Court.  An ERPO is a court order, which immediately removes a firearm from a domestic violence offender. Additionally, the ERPO ensures that the offender can’t lawfully purchase a firearm.

The Bureau also works closely with the Brooklyn Family Justice Center, a walk-in center, which provides a range services for victims of domestic violence, elder abuse and sex trafficking. Among the many resources available are long term counseling, civil legal assistance for immigration and family court matters, assistance with housing applications and HRA benefits as well as economic empowerment programs and children’s programming.

FAQs

ELDER ABUSE UNIT

The Elder Abuse Unit handles all cases of parental abuse (including parents, grandparents, great-grandparents) and spousal/intimate partner violence involving victims aged 60 years or older. This includes cases of physical abuse, as well as those involving threats of violence. The Unit also prosecutes cases involving physical abuse by caregivers, whether that’s by paid home attendants or by family caretakers.

The KCDA Elder Abuse Unit has a close working relationship with the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA), the Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA), and Adult Protective Services (APS). These partnerships promote early intervention in many situations. As a result, Brooklyn’s vulnerable senior residents, who otherwise may go unnoticed, receive the social services and protection they need.

The unit is involved in community-based projects, such as attending the Brooklyn Multi-Disciplinary Team hosted by the NYC Elder Abuse Center at which professionals who work with seniors throughout Brooklyn are invited to meet to discuss difficult elder abuse issues, as well as to hear guest speakers on relevant issues like housing, hoarding, mental illness, substance abuse, etc.

The Elder Abuse Unit also provides ongoing trainings to NYPD, local social service providers, hospitals, and senior centers to educate the community on the detection and prevention of elder abuse.

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