OCTOBER 9, 2007

COUNTY LEGISLATURE APPROVES FUNDING TO KEEP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT ADVOCATE FUNCTIONING

The Erie County Legislature's Human Services Committee approved $35,000 of interim bridge funding to Child and Family Services for the court advocate function of the Interim Domestic Violence (IDV) Court.

The IDV courts, specialized State Supreme Court parts, were developed to serve families in crises. They were formed in response to the complex factors requiring victims and their families to appear in multiple courts with multiple attorneys in front of multiple judges addressing criminal, family, matrimonial and other legal problems.

"Victims of domestic violence are already faced with a difficult and complicated journey through the judicial system to acquire justice and protection from their attackers," County Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli (D-Buffalo, Tonawanda) said. "An integrated domestic violence court advocate helps assist these victims in their time of difficulty in addressing all of their legal concerns and protection, allowing them to start their return to a safer, more normal life."

Legislator Marinelli, a long time advocate, was the former chair of the Erie County Coalition Against Family Violence. County government services related to domestic violence are provided through the Department of Human Services, the District Attorney and the Sheriff's Department.

County funds will allow this service to continue through next year, after federal funding was diminished.

The IDV courts' goals are to promote more informed judicial decision making, creating consistency in orders of protection, reducing court appearances and providing enhanced services to victims and families while ensuring victim safety and defendant accountability.

The funding will be voted on by the full County Legislature at its 2 p.m. Thursday, October 11, regular session.

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