It can happen to anyone and it often goes unreported: domestic violence. The Hollywood Police Department has started a new initiative to combat repeat offenders and keep survivors safe.
Hollywood Police is taking a closer look at domestic violence by keeping a closer watch on repeat offenders with a database. They hope this initiative will hold abusers accountable and empower survivors.
"We found that domestic violence was taking up over 25 percent of our calls for service," said Sgt. Rhett Cady with the Domestic Violence Unit.
Police are trying to change those numbers.
"When we saw that, we decided that we had to create some sort of initiative to combat that and to help the victims of domestic violence," Cady said.
It's called the Offender Focused Domestic Violence Initiative Program. It's the first of its kind in Florida and the goal is to identify the individuals with the most repetitive and violent offenses. They compile the names in a database and try to take action before the offender strikes again.
"We were concerned that eventually, as we know from history with domestic violence, it's gonna escalate eventually," Cady said.
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The program hopes to prevent other crimes connected to domestic violence by monitoring individuals and holding them accountable in the justice system.
"Violence is violence, so if you're violent in your home, we're finding that a lot of these people that are repeat offenders again are violent in society. So you're gonna see a total reduction in crime throughout the city by targeting domestic violence," Cady explained.
Since the program started in May of 2015, the Hollywood PD has seen an average reduction of 22 percent for domestic-related incidents each month. The department has also partnered with the organization Women in Distress of Broward County.
"We're really focused on the batterer and ensuring we're holding them accountable for their actions," said Delores Deferrari with Women in Distress.
While this program helps, unfortunately, many domestic violence cases go unreported out of fear.
"Statistics show that about 60 percent of domestic violence situations are not reported to law enforcement," Deferrari said.
They want people to know the signs and speak up.
"Domestic abuse can happen in any household with any family and single individuals but usually there are signs of controlling behavior, possible bruises or unexplained marks, and a lot of emotional and financial abuse," she explained.
Both organizations hope this new initiative will help empower survivors with resources and keep repeat offenders off the streets.
If you are a domestic violence survivor, you can call the Women in Distress crisis hotline at (954) 761-1133. They have professionals on the line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help you navigate your situation safely.
Women in Distress is the only nationally accredited, state-certified, full service domestic violence center serving Broward County. They offer 24-hour crisis intervention through our 24-Hour Crisis Hotline and emergency shelter, as well as counseling and support for victims and their children. They also provide education and professional trainings on domestic violence and related topics in Broward County schools and in the community.
