Transitioning Times

The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that 3 women are killed by a current or former intimate partner every day. During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (2001-2012), 6.488 American soldiers were killed. During that same time, 11,766 women were murdered by a current or former male partner. Since 2008, more than 100 people lost their lives as a result of domestic violence each year. Domestic violence is deadly – not just for those who are being abused. In fact, domestic calls are some of the most dangerous for law enforcement. A study by the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund found that 22% of officer deaths that occur in the line of duty happen while responding to domestic violence calls. Those statistics are difficult to understand. With all we know about intimate partner violence, why can’t we stop these killings? Through the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence is hoping to do just that.  In 2012, PCADV began ...

The end of 2016 brought tragedy to the Susquehanna Valley.  PA State Trooper Landon Weaver was shot and killed when responding to a PFA violation .  Shortly before that, two police officers were shot and one was killed responding to domestic disturbance in Pittsburgh . Too many times, law enforcement deaths are related to responding to domestic violence calls.  In a study of U.S. law enforcement line of duty deaths by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 20% of the 132 officers killed responding to dispatcher calls or investigating unusual activity were killed relating to domestic disturbance calls.  We already know that domestic violence is potentially fatal.  Of all homicides with femalevictims, 45% were committed by intimate partners .  At Transitions, we are trying to do what we can to prevent homicides related to domestic violence by implementing the Lethality AssessmentProgram in our area.   But we, as a so...

Many thanks to The Daily Item, who has published a number of articles recently about the Lethality Assessment Program.  I thought now would be an opportune time to re-post a blog Susan wrote a few months ago about this life-saving program. Fatality and Domestic Violence Domestic Violence is a life-threatening crime that affects millions of individuals regardless of age, economic status, race, religion or education.  Nationwide, an average of three women are killed by a current or former partner every day.   Advocates who work in the field of domestic violence know the high-risk stakes of the domestic violence situations that they encounter daily.  At Transitions, the first step we take when speaking with a victim contacts us is to safety plan to make sure that the person is not in immediate danger.  We must always be alert to the potential danger that may be present.  This article will explore fatalities in the US...

We are proud to participate in the Lethality Assessment Program locally, and were happy to share information with The Daily Item .   Here is the text of the article: July 20, 2014 Program boosts aid to domestic-abuse victims By Marcia Moore The Daily Item The Daily Item Sun Jul 20, 2014, 11:00 PM EDT A program designed to get domestic abuse victims into a shelter to reduce their chances of being assaulted again or becoming a homicide victim is being picked up by Central Susquehanna Valley police departments. Paul Yost, chief of the Buffalo Valley Regional Police, serving Lewisburg and East Buffalo Township in Union County, adopted the Lethality Assessment Program, or LAP, as policy two months ago after his department’s 19 full- and part-time officers received training on how to measure the safety risk faced by victims of domestic abuse. Other police departments, including Mifflinburg, Selinsgrove and Shamokin Dam, are considering a similar policy. “I think ...

Fatality and Domestic Violence Domestic Violence is a life-threatening crime that affects millions of individuals regardless of age, economic status, race, religion or education.   Nationwide, an average of three women are killed by a current or former partner every day.    Advocates who work in the field of domestic violence know the high-risk stakes of the domestic violence situations that they encounter daily.   At Transitions, the first step we take when speaking with a victim contacts us is to safety plan to make sure that the person is not in immediate danger.   We must always be alert to the potential danger that may be present.   This article will explore fatalities in the US and its effects on children; the deaths that have occurred in our service area (Union, Snyder and Northumberland Counties) over the last ten years; and what Transitions is doing to reduce fatalities.   All but one of our deaths was caused by gunshot wounds...

  Transitions, the Comprehensive Victim Center for Union, Snyder and Northumberland Counties, is pleased to announce the appointment of Susan K. Mathias to the position of Chief Executive Officer.   Most recently, Susan served as a Director at the YWCA of Northcentral PA with responsibility for programs and operations for Wise Options and two HUD-funded programs for homeless women and children.  Susan holds a Masters of Public Administration and has worked for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Federal Reserve Board. Susan was Vice President of Human Resources with The JPM Company and Regional Coordinator for U.S. Congressman Chris Carney.   "I look forward to collaborations that can improve how the community supports survivors and educates young people about healthy relationships.  New developments in the domestic violence and sexual assault prevention field have shown positive res...